The assistance of the European Union to Libya in resolving problems with the mass flow of undocumented migrants is rather limited, Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj told Sputnik Monday.
Sarraj said:“honestly speaking, their [EU] assistance in this issue was more than modest.
“Yes, we praise Italy for its support in this sphere, but it is still very small, in comparison with the size of the problem that Libya is currently experiencing,” Sarraj said.
The head of the GNA called for establishing a control system for Libya’s southern borders, pointing out that the problem on the northern maritime borders of Libya should also be resolved.
“We call for a refusal to grant citizenship to these migrants in Libya,” he said.
In early February, Italy signed a memorandum of intent in the sphere of combating illegal migration in Libya with the country’s GNA.
The document provides the development of cooperation in the fight against human smuggling, strengthening border control and preventing illegal crossing.
Europe is experiencing the most serious migration crisis since the World War II, caused primarily by a number of armed conflicts and acute economic problems in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
According to the International Organisation for Migration figures, no fewer than 100,000 refugees have already arrived by sea to Europe this year, with over 2,000 people dying while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.((Sputnik/NAN)