The European Union’s Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, has firmly denied reports suggesting that the EU supports the resettlement of migrants or refugees in Libya.
Orlando stated that the European Union does not support the establishment of migrant reception or settlement centres in Libya and stressed that decisions regarding migration management remain a sovereign matter for the Libyan state.
He affirmed that Libya has the sovereign right to regulate the entry of individuals into its territory in accordance with its national laws and legal frameworks.
The ambassador also highlighted the EU’s commitment to working with regional and international partners to combat human smuggling and human trafficking networks operating across migration routes in North Africa and the Mediterranean region.
According to Orlando, the European Union continues to support joint efforts with the United Nations and other international organisations to address migration challenges while respecting Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights obligations.
His remarks come amid ongoing public debate in Libya over migration policies and concerns regarding proposals related to migrant management. Orlando reiterated that European support is focused on tackling illegal migration, disrupting trafficking networks, and promoting coordinated international cooperation rather than supporting any form of migrant or refugee resettlement inside Libya.
The EU ambassador stressed that cooperation with Libya is based on partnership, respect for national sovereignty, and efforts aimed at improving migration governance while protecting the rights and dignity of vulnerable individuals affected by migration and displacement.