EU grants Libya €46m to fight illegal immigration

On Wednesday, the European Union announced a new program worth 46 million Euros ($ 53.3 million) which aims to strengthen the integrated capabilities of the Libyan authorities regarding illegal immigration management and border administration.

The program aims also to “intensify activities to support the Libyan border and coast guards in order to enhance their abilities to effectively manage the country’s borders,” according to the UN statement release.

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The EU is trying to decrease immigration and has actually signed several previous agreements with Libya, Greece, Turkey and other countries to stop the influx of refugees.

The program completes the 90 million Euros ($ 104.4 million) package approved in April which focuses on the Libya’s stability and the protection of internally displaced people, immigrants, refugees and host communities in Libya.

Last week, EU representatives visited Tripoli, where they met with Chairman of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj and other officials from the Libyan Navy and Coast Guard.