Italian Premier Paolo Gentiloni
and Libya Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj on Thursday signed a
memorandum of understanding on cooperation to combat illegal
migration, human trafficking and contraband and on reinforcing
the border between Libya and Italy.
Gentiloni said Thursday was "an important day for relations
between Italy and Libya".
"Above all because it confirms that cooperation that has been
taking place for months via the Italian government's commitment
on many fronts," he added after a meeting in Rome.
European Council President Donald Tusk said that the goal of
stemming the flow of migrants from Libya to Italy was "within
reach" with Rome and Tripoli thanks to the deal ahead of an EU
summit on migration in Malta.
Tusk said after talks with Serraj Thursday that "it is time
to close the (migrant) route from Libya to Italy".
He said "the EU has shown it is able to close the routes of
irregular migration, as it has done in the eastern
Mediterranean.
"I spoke at length with Premier (Paolo) Gentiloni yesterday
and I can assure you we can succeed. What is needed is the full
determination to do so.
"We owe it first of all to those who suffer and risk their
lives, but we also owe it to the Italians and all the
Europeans".
The EU and Libya, Tusk observed, have a "common interest in
reducing the number of irregular migrants risking their lives in
the central Mediterranean".
e said that flow was "not sustainable either for the EU or
for Libya" where "the traffickers are undermining the authority
of the Libyan State for their profit".
In tomorrow's summit, he said, there will be "additional
measures" to "more effectively combat the networks of
traffickers and better manage the migratory flows".
The EU, the European Council president added, "fully supports
the Libyans' efforts to find a political accord and the United
Nations' efforts for detente".
Tusk reiterated his "full support" for the national-unity
government of Serraj but also issued an appeal to Serraj's
opponents, stressing that "further results, in a constructive
sense" are needed to involve "those in Libya who have not joined
the new institutions".
After observing that the "humanitarian and security situation
has devastated the prospects for the civilian population," Tusk
said the EU "will continue to supply assistance to the Libyan
people" but he also "urged all Libyans to put aside their
differences so that the EU can make a greater commitment" to the
troubled north African country.
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