The Libyan government, mandated by the parliament, is preparing to host the Africa-Europe Conference on Migration in Benghazi at the end of May to discuss strategies to reduce illegal migration and its negative repercussions.
During a seminar on illegal migration, Libyan Foreign Minister Abdulhadi al-Huwaij called on the international community to adopt a cooperative approach that respects Libyan sovereignty and promotes peaceful coexistence in the region, rather than the Mediterranean being the scene of tragedy.
A joint working group, comprising representatives from the African Union, the European Union, and the United Nations, was formed to work to address current issues and improve conditions in detention centers.
For its part, the outgoing Government of National Unity in Tripoli plans to hold an international forum on July 3, bringing together interior ministers from countries concerned with migration issues, in order to enhance regional cooperation and develop to confront this phenomenon.
Libya is an ideal destination for smugglers and migrants, as its sea and land borders extend over a wide area and are close to European shores, and the cost of the journey from Libya to Europe is about 2,500 US dollars.
The Italian Foreign Ministry indicated in mid-March that the number of clandestine migrants coming from the western Libyan coasts has decreased since the beginning of this year by 67% compared to the same period in 2023, at a time when the number of arrivals to the Greek islands has increased, the majority of whom are from Egypt, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
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