In a significant tripartite meeting at the Italian Ministry of Interior in Rome, key Ministers from Libya, Tunisia, and Italy gathered to address the escalating crisis of irregular migration affecting the Mediterranean region.
The Libyan Interior Minister, Emad Al-Trabelsi, his Tunisian counterpart, Kamal El-Feki, and Italian Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi, along with other senior officials, engaged in comprehensive discussions to tackle this complex issue.
The Tunisian Ministry of Interior underscored the enduring relations and existing high-level coordination between the three nations, particularly in managing migration-related challenges. This meeting marks a pivotal moment in strengthening the collaborative approach among Libya, Tunisia, and Italy to manage both regular and irregular migration flows.
Central to the dialogue was the development of joint strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of irregular migration. The participating countries sought practical and immediate solutions for the humane and voluntary repatriation of irregular migrants. This was coupled with their sustainable reintegration into their home countries, all within a framework of developmental initiatives.
In a separate bilateral session, the Libyan and Tunisian interior Ministers reviewed their bilateral relations, particularly focusing on shared border management and citizen movement. The discussion highlighted the urgency of addressing migration-related issues and finding joint solutions to resolve them effectively.
The Ministers specifically addressed the challenges arising from irregular migrants crossing borders illegally. The talks aimed at identifying collaborative measures to reduce this phenomenon and its negative impact on both countries, demonstrating a unified stance against irregular migration.
From Libya’s viewpoint, articulated by its Ministry of Interior, the meeting was a reiteration of the commitment to strong Libyan-Tunisian-Italian relations. It highlighted Libya’s role in the collective effort to combat “illegal” migration and secure borders, emphasising the need for international cooperation, particularly with the European Union (EU).
The Ministry stressed the necessity of finding swift and effective solutions for the repatriation of irregular migrants, calling for the EU’s active participation in supporting these efforts. Italy’s commitment to encouraging EU funding signifies a broader international engagement in resolving the Mediterranean migration crisis.