Greece Seeks Migration Deal with Eastern Libya to Halt Boat Departures
Greece is seeking to sign a migration agreement with Libyan authorities aimed at intercepting migrant boats departing from eastern Libya, as arrivals to Crete and Gavdos islands sharply increase, according to Info Migrants newspaper. The move mirrors the controversial 2017 Italy-Libya agreement to stem migrant flows across the Mediterranean.
Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, revealed a 174% increase in irregular arrivals from Libya since the start of 2025. He expressed hopes of striking a deal with Libya to manage these flows, citing the pressing need to control rising landings on southern Greek islands.
Local port authorities in Crete reported that nearly 3,000 migrants had arrived by mid-May, with over 500 rescued during 23–24 May alone. Many are Sudanese nationals fleeing war, according to Greek officials.
However, German outlet Deutsche Welle noted that Voridis lacks a reliable Libyan partner to negotiate with. Eastern Libya, the origin of most boats, is beyond the control of Tripoli's internationally recognised government, which signed the 2017 agreement with Rome. Analysts also point to the absence of adequate funding to convince armed groups operating along the eastern coast to halt boat departures.
Under the Italy-Libya pact, Rome provided funding and technical support to intercept migrant vessels. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that 21,762 migrants were intercepted by Libya's coastguard in 2024 and returned to Libya—higher than 2023's 17,190 figure.
Rights groups warn of systemic abuse. NGOs and journalists have documented torture, forced detention, and sexual violence against returnees. In June 2024, German NGO Sea-Watch released a video showing Libyan coastguards beating migrants rescued by a commercial ship. The group denounced European complicity in 'systemic human rights violations.'
Amnesty International also criticised Italy's continued support for Libya's coastguard under its 2025 decree. Spokesperson Anneliese Baldaccini told the Italian parliament that the UN considers Libya unsafe for returned migrants and noted that a UN fact-finding mission found 'reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity are being committed.' Tags: CreteGreeceImmigrationlibyaMediterraneanmigrants
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