Al-Koni discusses in Brussels the problems of illegal immigration and its repercussions on Libya and the European Union.

Brussels, December 4, 2023 (LANA) - Representative of the Presidential Council, Moussa Al-Koni, held a working session in Brussels today, Monday, with the European Union Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, Eva Johansson, to discuss the problems of illegal immigration and its repercussions on both sides.

Al-Koni said during the meeting that it is time for Europe to translate cooperation into clear actions on the ground, and for a clear-cut partnership to be developed within a specific period of time to help Libya protect its southern borders, so that migrants should not wait to reach the sea until they are returned to centers. Shelter awaits his deportation back to his home country, according to the Press Office of the Presidential Council.

Al-Koni considered that addressing immigration problems from their roots by paying attention to providing a labor market and sustainable development in the home countries constitutes the first and most important step in confronting illegal immigration, noting that what drives immigrants to leave their homeland is the need to search for a better life, explaining that helping Libya implement Development projects in the southern regions and attention to improving conditions for the residents of these regions will have an important impact in reducing the flow of migration, according to the media office.

Al-Koni stressed that the repercussions of what is happening in neighboring countries will cost Libya the greatest price, as the people will leave their homelands in light of the unrest that is afflicting them, to the nearest place, in search of job opportunities, pointing out that Niger’s decision to abolish the law against illegal immigration will create major repercussions. This is very important for Libya, and for southern Libya in particular, with all the threat that this represents of the infiltration of some criminals or members of terrorist formations.

Al-Koni indicated that Europe now has a choice to help Libya without delay, to confront all of this, or to leave Libya alone until the situation gets out of control.

Al-Koni stated that the best mechanism for joint cooperation is for future agreements and partnerships to be concluded directly between the Libyan state and the European Union, without the need to go through a third mediator, as experience has proven the failure of this.

Al-Koni stressed that the threat of mercenaries, especially Wagner, poses a danger not only to Libya but also to the Sahara region, which represents a single strategic, humanitarian and economic space, and anything that affects any part of it leaves its effects on the entire region.

Al-Koni criticized the silence of the European Union in the face of the intimidation and liquidations that the people of northern Mali are subjected to at the hands of the “Wagner” groups and the forces of the Bamako regime, without criticizing this or criminalizing what is happening, which almost rises to the level of genocide by the European Union, adding that he is surprised by such silence in the face of the enormity of what is happening in northern Mali, pointing out that this will have repercussions on Libya, as it has caused and will cause the migration of large numbers of the region’s population towards Algeria and Libya, which means more repercussions for Libya, especially the south, according to the media office.

Al-Koni concluded his conversation with the Commissioner of Immigration and Internal Affairs, Eva Johansson, by saying that direct joint cooperation and the formation of joint working teams that follow up on the agreements or future programs reached by the two parties will constitute the most important step in the context of the cooperation we seek towards creating a solid foundation for stability and security in Libya and in the future.

For her part, the Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs affirmed these practical proposals, stressing that continued dialogue and joint cooperation will be the most important door to drawing the road map towards joint cooperation between the European Union and the State of Libya.

According to the Presidential Council, Al-Koni will visit Brussels at the head of a high-level delegation to discuss partnership mechanisms with the European Union to confront migration, terrorism, and cross-border fires.

..(LANA)..