Latest news with #MakisVoridis
Libya Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
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
Libya Observer
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Greece seeks agreement with Libya to curb migration flows
Greece is seeking to sign an agreement with Libya to manage the flow of illegal migration from its shores and is calling for greater European support to secure its borders. The move comes amid a significant increase in the number of migrants departing from Libya and North Africa toward Europe since the beginning of this year. According to Germany's Deutsche Welle radio on Saturday, a growing dispute has emerged between Germany and Greece over how to handle the migration issue, with Athens rejecting Berlin's plans to transfer undocumented migrants to Greece. Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, stated last week that there has been an approximately 174% increase in the number of illegal migrants leaving Libya for Greece since the start of the year. He expressed hope for an agreement with Libya to manage and curb illegal migration flows, similar to the 2017 deal between Italy and the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. While Voridis revealed plans to visit Libya soon to explore a migration management agreement, Deutsche Welle noted that the Greek minister currently lacks a reliable partner in Libya to negotiate such a deal. Additionally, he does not have the financial means to persuade armed groups to halt the migrant boats departing from eastern Libya toward the island of Crete. Under the 2017 agreement, Rome provided financial and technical support to Libyan authorities to prevent boats carrying hundreds of migrants from leaving the Libyan coast. The deal also facilitated the tracking, interception, and return of thousands of migrants who had crossed the Mediterranean toward Europe. Deutsche Welle also pointed to the emergence of a new migration route used by migrants seeking to reach Europe—from the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk to Greece's Crete island. This contrasts with the more commonly used route from western Libya to Italy's Lampedusa Island, which had long been the main path for migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
Libya Review
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Greece Eyes Libya Cooperation to Block Boats from Eastern Coast
Greece is seeking a migration agreement with Libya to reduce the rising number of irregular migrant departures from the Libyan coast, according to a report published by German broadcaster Deutsche Welle. Greek authorities report a 174% increase in crossings from Libya to Greece since the beginning of 2024, raising pressure on national and European migration systems Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, confirmed that Athens wants a formal deal with Libyan authorities to control flows across the eastern Mediterranean. The goal is to prevent more boats from departing Libya's shores, especially from eastern areas such as Tobruk, toward the Greek island of Crete. Voridis said he hopes to visit Libya soon to begin talks. The model under consideration is similar to the 2017 agreement between Italy and Libya, which involved Italian funding and logistical support to help Libyan forces stop migrant boats and return those intercepted at sea. However, Greece currently lacks a clear Libyan counterpart and the financial leverage to influence armed groups that control much of eastern Libya's coastal territory. The report highlighted that a new migration route has emerged from Tobruk to Crete, which is now being used alongside the more familiar western Libya–Lampedusa path. Eastern Libya has become a departure point for more organized smuggling networks, operating with limited oversight. The most serious incident on this route occurred in June 2023, when the fishing boat Adriana, which departed from Tobruk, capsized near Greek waters. Around 600 migrants died in what became one of the deadliest shipwrecks in recent years. Following the tragedy, 17 members of the Greek coast guard, including the commander of the patrol boat LS-920, were charged in court for failing to assist the vessel and contributing to the outcome. Greece is calling for more EU support to address the spike in crossings from North Africa. Officials in Athens argue that Libya must be part of any serious effort to manage migration in the central and eastern Mediterranean. However, Libya's internal divisions and militia control make negotiations difficult and enforcement uncertain. Tags: Deutsche WelleGreecelibyamigration
Washington Post
30-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Greece threatens rejected asylum seekers with jail under tougher new migration policy
ATHENS, Greece — Greece will end mass legalization programs for migrants and jail those awaiting deportation under tougher policies set to take effect this summer, Migration Minister Makis Voridis said Friday. Migrants with rejected asylum claims will face a minimum of two years in jail, with sentences commuted upon deportation, he said. The plans, outlined by Greece's conservative government — and closely watched by other European Union member states — were discussed at a Cabinet meeting this week. The European Union has pledged to make deportations a priority in 2025 and finalize common rules across the 27-nation bloc. According to the European Commission , about 80% of deportation orders across member states are not carried out. Voridis said the rate is even higher in Greece and urged the EU to set clearer criteria for legal residence. 'We can agree that someone's economic necessity alone cannot be grounds for legal migration. If we did accept that, (Europe) should prepare to receive hundreds of millions,' Voridis told private broadcaster Antenna. Currently, migrants denied residence permits typically receive six-month suspended sentences if they fail to leave the country. Under the new rules, a minimum jail term will be imposed, the minister said. A program that allowed up to 40,000 migrants who had lived illegally in Greece for at least three years to legalize their status was ended in March. It will not be renewed to avoid creating 'distorted' long-term incentives, said Voridis. Greece remains a key entry point for migrants into Europe and receives financial and operational support from the EU, including assistance from the border agency Frontex. However, Athens has faced international criticism for alleged summary deportations — which it denies — and over its handling of a deadly 2023 shipwreck that killed hundreds. Last week, lawyers representing survivors and families of the victims of that shipwreck said they were formally notified by naval prosecutors that 17 coast guard officials will face a criminal investigation. The action follows a two-year inquiry that found grounds for prosecution. ___ Follow AP's global coverage of migration at
Associated Press
30-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Greece threatens rejected asylum seekers with jail under tougher new migration policy
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece will end mass legalization programs for migrants and jail those awaiting deportation under tougher policies set to take effect this summer, Migration Minister Makis Voridis said Friday. Migrants with rejected asylum claims will face a minimum of two years in jail, with sentences commuted upon deportation, he said. The plans, outlined by Greece's conservative government — and closely watched by other European Union member states — were discussed at a Cabinet meeting this week. The European Union has pledged to make deportations a priority in 2025 and finalize common rules across the 27-nation bloc. According to the European Commission, about 80% of deportation orders across member states are not carried out. Voridis said the rate is even higher in Greece and urged the EU to set clearer criteria for legal residence. 'We can agree that someone's economic necessity alone cannot be grounds for legal migration. If we did accept that, (Europe) should prepare to receive hundreds of millions,' Voridis told private broadcaster Antenna. Currently, migrants denied residence permits typically receive six-month suspended sentences if they fail to leave the country. Under the new rules, a minimum jail term will be imposed, the minister said. A program that allowed up to 40,000 migrants who had lived illegally in Greece for at least three years to legalize their status was ended in March. It will not be renewed to avoid creating 'distorted' long-term incentives, said Voridis. Greece remains a key entry point for migrants into Europe and receives financial and operational support from the EU, including assistance from the border agency Frontex. However, Athens has faced international criticism for alleged summary deportations — which it denies — and over its handling of a deadly 2023 shipwreck that killed hundreds. Last week, lawyers representing survivors and families of the victims of that shipwreck said they were formally notified by naval prosecutors that 17 coast guard officials will face a criminal investigation. The action follows a two-year inquiry that found grounds for prosecution. ___ Follow AP's global coverage of migration at
