Greece, Libya and Migrants
Digest more
Greek authorities have transported more than 500 migrants to a port on the mainland in an effort to relieve strain on the island of Crete after a surge in arrivals from Libya.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with Eastern Libya leader Khalifa Haftar and discussed migrant flows and maritime zones.
His son, Belkacem Haftar – head of the Organization for Reconstruction and Development and the official who met with Greek Foreign Minister G. Gerapetritis last Sunday – invited the Greek Consul General in Benghazi, A. Kalognomis, to his home on Wednesday evening to discuss bilateral cooperation planning.
AGYIA, Crete (Reuters) -Greek lawmakers were set to vote on legislation on Thursday that would temporarily halt the processing of asylum applications of people coming from North Africa for at least three months,
Greece intercepts over 500 migrants near Crete, taking emergency actions due to rising Mediterranean crossings from Libya. The influx has overwhelmed local facilities, prompting the suspension of asylum processing for three months.
In a significant shift in migration policy, Greece is implementing stringent new measures to deter irregular flows, particularly from Libya.
Authorities in eastern Libya have refused entry to three European ministers and the EU commissioner for migration on alleged entry violations.