Orlando: Libya see surge in voluntary migrant returns

The European Union is making headway in its efforts to stem the flow of illegal migration from North Africa.

EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando reported a significant increase in the number of migrants voluntarily returning to their home countries from Libya, marking a potential turning point in the EU’s ongoing struggle to manage migration flows.

“We are making great progress,” Ambassador Orlando declared in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, following a meeting with Major General Mohamed Al-Marhani, the head of Libya’s technical committee on irregular migration and border security.

The two officials discussed expanding their “human rights-based partnership” with a focus on bolstering Libya’s border control measures, combating human trafficking networks, and facilitating increased voluntary returns. Mr. Orlando noted that voluntary returns have surged by over 80% year-over-year.

This development comes on the heels of a meeting earlier this month between Libyan Interior Minister Emad Al-Trabelsi and Nicoletta Giordano, head of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya.

Their discussions centered on increasing the number of voluntary repatriation flights for migrants both within and outside of Libya’s detention centers.

Meanwhile, in Brussels, the European Commission has proposed new agreements aimed at curbing illegal migration, similar to existing pacts with Libya and Tunisia.

EU member states engaged in intense debate last week regarding migration policy, particularly a controversial agreement between Italy and Albania to establish migrant holding centers in Albania with the goal of returning migrants to countries deemed “safe.”

Facing mounting pressure to address irregular migration, the 27 EU member states are pushing for legislation to accelerate deportations.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen informed EU members of her intent to propose new legislation to streamline and expedite deportation procedures.