The European Union’s Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, announced that voluntary returns of migrants from Libya to their home countries have surged by over 80% annually, marking significant progress in managing migration to the EU.
Orlando highlighted a “productive meeting” in Tripoli with Major General Mohamed Al-Marhani, head of the technical committee tasked with developing a national strategy on irregular migration and border security. Writing on social media platform X, Orlando noted discussions focused on expanding a “human rights-based partnership.” Key shared goals include enhancing Libya’s border management, combating human trafficking, and increasing voluntary return rates.
“Together, we are making great progress,” Orlando added.
Earlier in October, Interior Minister Emad Al-Trabelsi met with Nicoletta Giordano, Head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya, to discuss scaling up voluntary repatriation flights for migrants from within and outside Libya’s detention centres.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has proposed agreements to curb illegal migrant entries, similar to existing arrangements with Libya and Tunisia. During last week’s EU Commission meeting in Brussels, discussions intensified among member states on migration policy, particularly over a contentious agreement between Italy and Albania to create migrant holding centres in Albania before returning them to countries deemed “safe.”
With mounting calls for effective action on irregular migration, the 27 EU member states urgently advocated for legislation to expedite deportations. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in a message to EU members, expressed her intention to propose new legislation for rapid deportation procedures, aiming to streamline migrant returns.
