Greece seeks Libya’s help to curb migration

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for deeper cooperation with Libya to stem the flow of irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean, as new data shows a sharp rise in departures from the North African country.

Speaking during a visit to Tripoli this week, Mitsotakis emphasized the need for joint efforts to combat human trafficking networks and improve border management.

According to Frontex, the EU’s border agency, the Central Mediterranean route, which includes crossings from Libya to Italy and Malta, saw a 48% increase in irregular arrivals in the first months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that Libya remains a primary departure point, with smugglers increasingly using high-speed boats to evade detection. The cost of a sea crossing from Libya ranges between €5,000 and €8,000 per person, often paid to organized criminal networks

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix also identified over 858,000 migrants residing in Libya as of early 2025, many of whom are in transit or awaiting passage to Europe.

Greece, which has faced waves of migration since 2015, is concerned about a renewed surge in arrivals via the Mediterranean. The country has stepped up border patrols and asylum processing, but officials warn that without cooperation from transit countries like Libya, the crisis will persist.

The EU has previously funded training and equipment for Libya’s coast guard, but human rights groups have criticized the practice, citing abuses in Libyan detention centers.