Greece’s Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis travelled to Tripoli on Monday for high-level talks focused on rising migrant arrivals to Greek shores and broader regional cooperation.
During the visit, Gerapetritis met with his Libyan counterpart Taher Al-Baour, with both sides agreeing on the need for a “global approach” to migration that includes burden-sharing and strengthened security coordination.
Migration flows from Libya toward Greece—particularly the island of Crete—have increased in recent months, with many attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing in overcrowded vessels. The route has proven deadly, with multiple incidents reported, including a tragedy in March in which dozens of migrants lost their lives at sea.
Greek authorities have also stepped up rescue operations. Earlier this month, more than 300 migrants were rescued over a span of just a few days, highlighting the growing pressure on frontline EU states.
Beyond migration, the talks also touched on longstanding tensions between Greece and Libya over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean. The issue dates back to a controversial 2019 agreement between Libya and Turkey, which Athens argues violates the sovereign rights of Greek islands, including Crete.
Despite these differences, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining dialogue based on international law and a constructive diplomatic approach.
Libya continues to face political fragmentation following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi. The country remains divided between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.
Gerapetritis also held separate discussions on migration with Haftar during a visit to Benghazi last month, underlining Greece’s efforts to engage with all key actors in Libya.
Source: AFP / Arab News