APD | Italy, Libya to renew migration deal

By APD writer Aditya Nugraha

Italy will renew its migration deal with the UN-backed government in Libya under which the Libyan coastguard stops migrant boats at sea and sends their passengers back to the North African country.

The deal was agreed in February 2017 in an attempt to stem the flow of refugees and migrants to Sicily’s shores. Italy agreed to train, equip and finance the Libyan coastguard, including providing four patrol vessels.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said that it would be “unwise for Italy to break off its agreement with Libya on handling asylum seekers and combating human trafficking”.

The deal, due to expire on Saturday, will be renewed automatically unless one of the parties opts out.

“The document can be amended but it is undeniable that it has reduced the number of arrivals and deaths at sea,” Di Maio said on Thursday.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)