The European Union has reaffirmed its support for Libya’s efforts to manage migration, strengthen border security and combat human trafficking networks, while stressing full respect for Libya’s sovereignty.
EU Ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, said he held a “productive preliminary meeting” in Tripoli with Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Mohamed bin Ghalboun, where they reviewed growing EU-Libya cooperation and explored ways to expand collaboration across key sectors.
In a post on X, Orlando praised a new Libyan government mechanism aimed at facilitating the return of migrants to their countries of origin in coordination with their embassies. He said the EU would continue to support voluntary return programmes, humanitarian responses and improvements in land and maritime border management.
He also highlighted the recent opening of a forward operating base in Wadi Baladna, describing it as a practical example of EU support for Libyan military and law enforcement efforts to tackle human smuggling along key desert routes.
Orlando added that a new maritime rescue coordination centre planned in Benghazi, backed by the EU’s Operation Irini, would help enhance life-saving operations at sea, improve coordination and further disrupt trafficking networks.
