Youssef Al-Aqouri, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, met with the Greek Consul, Agapios Kalognomis. The discussions focused on the latest political developments in Libya and ongoing cooperation programs between the two nations.
Al-Aqouri highlighted the strong link between Libya’s security and stability and that of Europe, emphasizing the Parliament’s stance on the need for all foreign forces and mercenaries to withdraw from Libyan territory as a precondition for the country’s stability.
On the topic of migration, he stressed the importance of joint coordination with Greece to address unprecedented migration flows, which pose a significant challenge for both countries.
Additionally, Al-Aqouri expressed gratitude towards Greece for its support in various areas, especially following Hurricane Daniel. He also underscored the importance of having a Greek consulate in Benghazi, praising its role in facilitating travel procedures for citizens of both countries and lauding the Greek school in Benghazi for keeping its doors open during difficult times, reflecting positively on bilateral relations.
For his part, Kalognomis reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to enhancing relations in all fields and being a friend to all Libyans.
Last week, the Greek authorities expressed growing concerns over an emerging migration route between Libya and the island of Crete, which has seen an influx of over 1,500 migrants landing on the tiny island of Gavdos, south of Crete since early 2024.
The influx, originating from Tobruk in Libya’s northeast, has brought unexpected challenges to Crete, especially to Gavdos, an island with minimal infrastructure, including a single school, two grocery stores, and just one police officer, as reported by “Le Monde.”
The rise in migrant arrivals via this unanticipated route has caught Greek officials off guard, highlighting the absence of planned reception capabilities on an island lying about 300 kilometers from the Libyan coast.
Gavdos’ mayor, Lilian Stefanakis, has been appealing for governmental support for months, seeking essential supplies and first aid for the new arrivals, many of whom endure journeys lasting over 36 hours, with costs ranging from $4,000 to $5,000 (€3,700 to €4,600).
The year 2024 has seen a significant spike in refugee arrivals to Greece, with the count reaching 8,000, up from 3,000 in the same timeframe in 2023. The changing dynamics in migrant smuggling operations, which now view the journey to Italy as increasingly challenging, have unexpectedly shifted focus towards Crete as a new destination from North Africa.
To counteract the formation of this new migration path, cooperation with Egypt is deemed crucial. The Greek government has welcomed a recent agreement between the European Union and Egypt, which provides for €7.4 billion in economic aid to enhance border control efforts in Egypt and Libya. This agreement also addresses concerns about potential Palestinian migration through the same route.
