Interior ministers from Algeria, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Libya, Malta, Slovenia, Switzerland and Tunisia took part in the meeting, along with the European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos. "The aim is to govern migratory movements" rather than be governed by them, said Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti. France's Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux stressed the importance of making sure the Libyan coastguard lives up to its EU training. But critics warn against planned repatriations of asylum seekers to Libya, a country where allegations of torture, rape and murder are rife. Some 40 percent of those who seek asylum in Italy are granted some sort of leave to remain.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 20, 2017 16:29 UTC