EU Commission Chief: Libya is instrumentalizing migration - Flows to Greece increased by 127%

Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced yesterday the dispatch of warships to the maritime borders with Libya to stem migration, while Ursula von der Leyen also refers to Libya and how its administration can exploit the issue in her letter.

Ursula von der Leyen states in her letter on flows and Libya:

The first half of 2025 saw an overall decrease of 21% in irregular border crossings into the EU, compared to the same period in 2024. However, the actual numbers remain significant, with over 69,000 irregular border crossings reported by mid-June. While there are reductions on most migratory routes, ranging from 56% on the Western Balkans route, 28% on the Eastern Mediterranean route and 28% on the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes combined, the situation is different in the Central Mediterranean. With departures from Libya accounting for 93% of irregular border crossings, we see a 7% increase on the Central Mediterranean route and a 173% increase in arrivals to Greece from Eastern Libya.

With the political and security situation in Libya being extremely critical, the political commitment of the EU and its Member States is crucial, given the geopolitical implications of developments in Libya for the EU. On migration, we must maintain close cooperation and continue to provide financial and operational support to the Libyan authorities, in particular with regard to search and rescue operations.

However, given the situation and observing a possible use of migration for political purposes, we must also be able to cooperate with the various actors on the ground.
I have asked Commissioner Brunner to visit Libya soon and meet with the authorities in the west and east of the country. It is essential to work with them, within the framework of a "Team Europe" approach, so that we can insist on strengthening border management and combating migrant smuggling, on managing work visas and onward movements to the EU, as well as on ensuring protection and voluntary returns from Libya to countries of origin.