EU readies for massive migration flows from Libya

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reported on the 24 March 2016 that approximately 800,000 migrants were in Libya hoping to cross to Europe.

Following the signing of the EU-Turkey agreement on the 18 March 2016 which aimed at reducing the flow of migrants via Turkey to Greece, it was feared that migrants would seek out alternative routes.

However, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi played down on the 15 April 2016 a sudden rise in boat crossings from Libya which had resulted in 6,000 mainly African migrants landing in Italy that week, insisting: 'we are not facing an invasion'.

EU Foreign Ministers discussed migration issues at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on the 18 April 2016.
The Council discussed the EU's activities relating to the external aspects of migration. It agreed on the need to put more focus on both the Eastern and the Central Mediterranean routes. It assessed progress in implementing the EU's agreement with Turkey, and also reviewed the EU measures and initiatives taken on the Central Mediterranean route. Ministers underlined actions on the fight against traffickers and smugglers, notably with the EU naval operation EUNAVFOR med Sophia, the EU support to Africa through the Emergency Trust Fund, the launch of a series of comprehensive high level dialogues on migration with African countries and the work with countries of the G5 Sahel. Ministers also met with UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi.

EurActiv, 24.03.16: 800,000 migrants in Libya seeking to come to Europe: French minister https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/800000-migrants-in-libya-seeking-to-come-to-europe-french-minister/

ESO: Background information: Make Libya a priority http://www.europeansources.info/record/note-to-berlin-make-libya-a-priority/

EU: EEAS: EU Relations with Libya http://eeas.europa.eu/libya/index_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Libya's migrant-smuggling highway: Lessons for Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/libyas-migrant-smuggling-highway-lessons-for-europe/

ESO: Background information: EU, US urge swift Libya handover http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-us-urge-swift-libya-handover/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

Frontex: Trends and Routes: Central Mediterranean route http://frontex.europa.eu/trends-and-routes/central-mediterranean-route/

The Local.it, 26.03.16: Is Italy ready for the next wave of migrants? http://www.thelocal.it/20160326/is-italy-ready-for-the-next-wave-of-migrants

EUObserver, 29.03.16: Italy reports upsurge in migrants crossing from Libya https://euobserver.com/migration/132815

The Conversation, 29.03.16: European policy is driving refugees to more dangerous routes across the Med http://theconversation.com/european-policy-is-driving-refugees-to-more-dangerous-routes-across-the-med-56625

The Local.it, 30.03.16: Italy rescues over 1,500 migrants in Strait of Sicily http://www.thelocal.it/20160330/italy-rescues-over-1500-migrants-in-strait-of-sicily

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 31.03.16: The UK’s plans to prevent migration from Libya show a dangerous unwillingness to learn from the past http://bit.ly/1Tk7tXC

EurActiv, 05.04.16: Italy prepares for surge in refugees http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/italy-prepares-for-surge-in-refugee-numbers-as-balkan-route-closes-down/

EurActiv, 13.04.16: Italy rescues 4,000 refugees in two days http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/italy-rescues-4000-refugees-in-two-days/

EurActiv, 14.04.16: Italian government asks local authorities to find ‘more beds’ for the migrants http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/italian-government-asks-local-authorities-to-find-more-beds-for-the-migrants/

The Local.it, 15.04.16: 'Six thousand migrant arrivals is not an invasion': Renzi http://www.thelocal.it/20160415/nearly-6000-migrants-reach-italy-since-tuesday

The Local.it, 16.04.16: It's a 'spike', not an invasion http://www.thelocal.it/20160416/its-a-spike-not-an-invasion-italy-migrants

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2016: What can stop the exodus across the Mediterranean? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/157680/what-can-stop-the-exodus-across-the-mediterranean

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