EU Warns of Migrant Surge from Libya
The European Commission is closely monitoring a sharp increase in irregular migrant arrivals from Libya to Greece, Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said on Tuesday. He noted that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had addressed the issue in a recent letter to EU leaders ahead of this week’s European Council meeting, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonia
Lammert highlighted that 93% of illegal crossings at the EU's external borders now originate from Libya, with a 173% rise in arrivals to Greece from eastern Libya. Despite a 21% overall drop in irregular EU border crossings in early 2025, this specific route has seen a troubling surge.
Von der Leyen expressed concern over the potential “instrumentalisation of migration by Libya” and emphasized the need for continued support for Libyan authorities, particularly in search and rescue operations. She has asked Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner to visit Libya for talks with both western and eastern officials.
Discussions with Greek officials are ongoing, and the presence of Greek warships in the area has also drawn attention as the EU seeks to manage the growing challenge.
