Libya

Malta and Libya have signed an MoU, valid for three years with an option to extend for an additional year, that sets up coordination centres, one in Malta and one in Libya, funded by Malta to coordinate and support regulation of migrant boats from Libya to European countries. It further stipulates that Malta propose to the EU Commission for increased financial support to strengthen Libyan border security including “for the interception and follow-up of human trafficking activities in the search and rescue region of the Mediterranean basin.”

The MOU between Italy and Libya includes cooperation in combating irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and on reinforcing border security between the two countries. Libya and Italy also agreed to set up a joint operations centre to identify migrant smugglers and human traffickers, facilitating cooperation between the coastguards, the Department of Combatting Illegal Migration, the Libyan Attorney General, and intelligence services from both countries.

The 2016 MOU between Italy and Libya aims to conduct a training programme for the Libyan coast guard and navy to better secure Libyan waters, and to enhance their law enforcement capacity in tackling human trafficking and migrant smuggling and preventing deaths at sea. This agreement was renewed in 2019.

Decision No. 386 establishes the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration, an independent agency, to address illegal immigration.