European Commission hopes for migration talks with Libya - boat still missing

The European Commission is hoping to hold talks on migration with the new Libyan authorities as soon as possible, the European Commission responsible for the sector said.

Commissioner Cecilia Malmström was replying to a question in the European Parliament by Italian MEP Fiorello Provera (Northern League).

MEP Provera praised the Italy-Libya Friendship Agreement of 2008, saying that in  2008, 40,000 migrants attempted to cross illegally into Italy, but  the number of migrants was reduced to 4,406 last year. However, following the popular uprising against Muammar Gaddafi last February, 27,000 immigrants managed to cross from Libya into Europe.

In her reply, Ms Malmström said:  “The Commission would like to underline that the discussions which were held on 4 October 2010 in Tripoli by the Members of the Commission responsible for Home Affairs and Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy took place in a context, and with interlocutors, which have profoundly changed.

Although the tentative list of common actions identified in October 2010 (1) may still represent a basis for future cooperation between the EU and Libya in the areas of migration, asylum, visa policy and border management, it is clear that the pattern and content of this future cooperation will have to be substantially revised on the basis of new discussions. The Commission hopes these will start as soon as possible with the Libyan authorities.

"The revision of the cooperation with Libya, in any case, is necessary also to take into account several important changes which have taken place not only in Libya but also in the EU since the spring.

"In particular, the European Council of 24 June 2011 which approved a new policy approach towards the Southern Mediterranean countries. This approach will be characterised by the launch of a Dialogue on Migration, Mobility and Security with these countries aimed at reinforcing cooperation and strengthening relations with Europe’s southern neighbours.

(1) ‘common actions aimed at preventing irregular migration, addressing more effectively its consequences and root causes, promoting the use of the regular channels of migration and mobility, avoiding further loss of migrants’ lives as well as to protecting their fundamental rights’.”

BOAT STILL MISSING

Meanwhile, a boat carrying 43 migrants is still missing in the central Mediterranean. The migrants managed to contact the Italian authorities late on Tuesday, saying their boat was 70 miles south of Lampedusa.

They also contacted them again yesterday morning, using a satellite phone. They reported that their boat was in rough seas and taking in water.

Italian coastguard units and an aircraft of the AFM took part in a search, coordinated from Malta, but no trace of the boat has been found so far.