The Greek government is expecting cooperation on the part of Libyan authorities in order to prevent the emergence of a permanent “migrant smuggling” route from the North Africa country to Crete, as underlined in Wednesday’s meeting of the high-ranking Government Council for National Security (KYSEA).
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, emphasized the European dimension of the migration problem, all ahead of a visit to Tripoli by Greek FM George Gerapetritis and in the wake of this week’s contacts in Athens by EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner.
Other issues discussed were developments in the Middle East, the continuing landings and rescues of irregular migrants being transported by migrant boats south of Crete, as well as defense issues, such as an upgrading of Hellenic Navy frigates, and specifically the MEKO-class.
