Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner on July 1 at the Maximos Mansion in Athens to discuss pressing migration challenges, particularly the increasing migrant flows from Libya toward Greece.
Focus on Halting Migration from Eastern Libya
During the meeting, Mitsotakis emphasized the urgent need to halt migration departures from eastern Libya to prevent the establishment of a new migration route toward southern Greece, especially the island of Crete. As described by Mitsotakis, in recent months, we have seen significant pressure along the route between eastern Libya and southern Crete.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis speaks during a cabinet meeting at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Greece, June 30, 2025. REUTERS/Louiza Vradi
The Greek Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the European Commission’s mobilization on this front, noting that Commissioner Brunner will visit Libya on July 8 alongside migration ministers from Greece, Italy, and Malta as part of a coordinated European effort known as the “Team Europe” approach.
Mitsotakis stressed cooperation with Libyan authorities as crucial to ensure that migrant boats do not even depart from Libyan shores.
Migrants walk by tents at the temporary migrant’s camp staged on a soccer pitch in the region of Rethymno in Crete island, Greece, June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis
EU Pact on Migration and Asylum Discussed
The meeting also focused on the implementation of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, highlighting the importance of effective return procedures and agreements with third countries to manage migration flows better. Mitsotakis underscored that migration management remains a key issue in Greece’s relations with Turkey and called for improved handling of external challenges, especially in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean region.
Third country national that were either rescued at sea aboard migrant boats or who made it onto Greek territory are shown at a temporary shelter at an exhibition hall in the port city of Chania, on Crete, on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
More than 450 people, primarily from Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Pakistan, were put up at the site pending an identification process. The southern shores of Crete and the small isle of Gavdos have recently come under ‘target’ by migrant smugglers operation out of east Libya. (Giannis Aggelakis / Eurokinissi)
Commissioner Brunner praised Greece’s role in protecting the external borders of the European Union and reaffirmed the importance of joint European action.
Upcoming European Legislative Initiatives
The Commissioner also outlined upcoming legislative initiatives at the European level, including reforms related to returns and the concept of safe third countries, which are critical to combating irregular migration. Brunner expressed optimism about the cooperation between European partners, acknowledging there is still work to be done but emphasizing the strong foundation for progress.
An official gives instructions to a group of recently arrived migrants, at the temporary migrants’ camp staged on a soccer pitch in the region of Rethymno in Crete island, Greece, June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis
This high-level dialogue reflects growing concern across Europe over migration pressures stemming from Libya and signals a coordinated strategy to strengthen border control and migration governance in the region. The visit to Libya next week by European migration ministers is expected to further reinforce these efforts.
