خرطوم مياه قابل للتمدد من ماجيك هوز
وفر 19%! اشترِ خرطوم مياه قابل للتمدد من ماجيك هوز بسعر 268 د.ل فقط في ليبيا. مت
🛒 تسوق الآنGreek Migration Minister Defends Tougher Policies as Arrivals from Libya Surge 20%
Greek Migration Minister Defends Tougher Policies as Arrivals from Libya Surge 20%
Athens Takes Hardline Stance Amid Rising Mediterranean Crossings
Greece's migration minister Thanos Plevris on Monday called criticism from human rights groups a "badge of honor" and vowed to further toughen what he described as "the toughest — if not the toughest — in Europe" migration policies. The defiant comments came as Greek authorities reported a 20% surge in migrant arrivals on the island of eastern Libya, with 5,500 interceptions recorded through May 2026 compared to the same period last year.
Plevris made the remarks during an interview with private broadcaster Action 24, signaling that Greece's conservative government has no intention of softening its approach despite mounting international pressure. "Let me tell you something: the days when bureaucrats from Brussels or the United Nations could just show up and dictate how Greece handles the migration crisis are over," the minister declared.
Key Facts: Greece's Migration Crackdown
- 5,500 arrivals: Migrant interceptions off Crete surged more than 20% through May 2026 compared to 2025, with the pace accelerating since early June.
- EU-wide measures: The European Union last week approved tougher migration measures despite an overall decline in crossings from North Africa and the Middle East.
- African processing centers: Greece and several other EU member states are in talks with African countries to establish centers for migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected in Europe.
- Libya cooperation: Greece is offering eastern Libyan authorities coast guard training, employment programs, and investment initiatives to curb departures across the Mediterranean.
- High-level visit: Saddam Hifter, deputy commander of eastern Libya's armed forces, was in Athens on Monday for meetings with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Human Rights Groups Push Back
International organizations including Amnesty International and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees have criticized Greece's hardening stance. But Plevris dismissed their concerns outright. "Every time UN envoys express concern over my legislation, it makes me proud of that legislation," he said. "The more Amnesty International, the UN high commissioner for refugees or UN envoys are irritated by our migration policy, the more I view it as a badge of honor."
The minister argued that rights groups and charities assisting migrants had no legitimate role in shaping Greek migration policy, a position that has drawn sharp rebuke from humanitarian organizations operating in the Aegean and Mediterranean corridors.
Libya Connection: Why This Matters for North Africa
For Libya, the developments carry significant implications. Eastern Libya has become a primary departure point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe, with human trafficking networks flourishing during more than a decade of instability. Libya shares borders with six countries — Chad, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia — making it a critical transit hub for migrants from across Africa and the Middle East seeking to reach Europe.
Jalel Harchaoui, an analyst specializing in Libyan politics and security, noted that eastern Libya is actively seeking closer diplomatic ties with European countries as well as financial assistance. The Athens meetings between Hifter and Greek leadership suggest a deepening partnership that could reshape migration dynamics across the central Mediterranean — with Libya positioned as Europe's frontline partner in managing migrant flows.
What Comes Next
The convergence of Greece's hardline posture, EU-wide policy tightening, and enhanced Greece-Libya cooperation signals a new chapter in Mediterranean migration management. As arrivals continue to climb and diplomatic engagement intensifies, the central Mediterranean route is likely to remain one of the world's most closely watched migration corridors. For Libyans, the outcome will shape both the country's international standing and the daily reality of communities along its vast coastline.
— LibyaPress / Politics Desk
