Greece’s top diplomat in Tripoli to discuss migrant arrivals

The Greek and Libyan overseas ministers held talks connected migration successful Tripoli connected Monday, a Libyan authorities statement said, pursuing an influx of migrants connected the European country’s shores successful caller months.

Greece’s top diplomat Giorgos Gerapetritis met with Libyan counterpart Taher al-Baour, whose ministry said they agreed to follow a “global attack based connected burden-sharing” and information cooperation.

Migrants regularly effort the perilous crossing from Libya to the Greek land of Crete, a gateway to the European Union.

At the extremity of March, 22 radical died while adrift successful the Mediterranean Sea aft leaving from Libya and their bodies were thrown overboard, according to survivors who were rescued disconnected Crete.

Earlier this month, Greek authorities said they had rescued much than 300 migrants implicit a mates of days.

The two ministers besides discussed a long-running quality betwixt Greece and Libya’s UN-recognised authorities implicit their respective exclusive economical zones successful the Mediterranean.

The statement from al-Baour’s ministry said the brace reaffirmed “their committedness to continuing a constructive dialog successful a affirmative spirit, based connected the rules of planetary law”.

Libya angered Greece successful 2019 by signing a maritime delimitation statement with Turkey, which Athens argues disregards the rights of Greek islands, including Crete.

The North African state is still plagued by part and instability aft years of unrest pursuing the NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime person Muammar Gaddafi successful 2011.

It remains divided betwixt the UN-recognised authorities successful the west and its eastbound rival, backed by subject commandant Khalifa Haftar.

Gerapetritis besides discussed migration with Haftar successful Benghazi past month.

Source: AFP