European Union Agrees to Halt Trafficking of Migrants

Rome, Feb 3 (Prensa Latina) European Union (EU) member states agreed today in Malta on a set of collaborative actions with Libya and neighboring states to stop the trafficking of migrants through the Central Mediterranean.

The package of 10 measures was announced in a statement issued at the end of the first working session of the summit of Heads of State or Government of the regional organization.

The plan includes training, equipment and support for the Coast Guard and other Libyan agencies; additional measures to dismantle illegal trafficking of persons; and support - where possible - the development of local communities in the North African nation, especially in coastal and border areas linked to migration.

In addition, the plan includes working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure adequate capacities and conditions for the reception of migrants in Libya, as well as to increase IOM support in voluntary repatriation activities.

Expansion of information campaigns targeting potential migrants in Libya and other countries of origin and transit; collaboration with Libya and neighboring nations to strengthen border controls; and the follow-up to alternative routes and possible variants of traffickers, are also part of the agreed measures.

The program also includes support for the efforts and initiatives of EU Member States, such as Italy, directly involved with the Tripoli authorities in strategies to deal with irregular migration flows, and the deepening of dialogue and cooperation on migration with all neighboring countries of the North African nation.