Libya 'needs incentives' to cooperate on migration

A delegation of MEPs which has just returned from Libya has concluded that the European Union should do more to persuade the Libyan government to collaborate on the problem of illegal immigration.

Addressing a press conference at the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday, the head of the EP's delegation, Simon Busuttil, said that although the Libyans were very receptive, the only way forward in the interest of both Libya and the EU was collaboration.

Dr Busuttil described as shocking the fact that the Libyan authorities assigned only two patrol boats and no more than 100 officials to patrol their 2,000 kilometres of shoreline. "This means that sea crossings are basically unhindered and cooperation on this level is therefore very urgent."

Although having its own navy, Libya does not assign military personnel to control its sea borders against crossings by illegal immigrants. Asked by The Times whether this means Libya lacks the political will to address the situation, Dr Busuttil said that while Libya has the financial resources to buy more patrol boats it still requires incentives to do so.

"The Libyans feel there are few incentives for them to cooperate over this issue. Why should they control the EU borders?" Dr Busuttil asked. He said that although the political will may be lacking at the moment, he is confident the Libyan authorities will come around if the EU gives a good helping hand. He said that during meetings with four Libyan ministers, including the foreign and the home affairs ministers, the possibility of a readmission agreement with Malta and Spain, similar to the one already signed between Libya and Italy, was discussed.

Dr Busuttil said an agreement with Malta has already been drafted but no date has yet been set for its signing.

"To be frank, it will be better if the EU tries to negotiate a whole package with Libya. This problem affects the whole of the EU and thus cooperation between Libya and the EU is essential."

Dr Busuttil made it clear that his delegation did not seek to accuse the Libyans, to point a finger at them or to ask them to police Europe's borders. It only sought to evaluate the problem and transmit the message back to the EU.

Apart from high-level meetings, the EP delegation visited a detention centre in Tripoli and a maritime border in Humms, one hour outside the capital. The delegation also met the UNHCR representative in Tripoli.

Twenty per cent of the Libyan population are considered to be immigrants.