Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that Navy ships will be sent near Libya’s waters to watch for migrant boats. He said this is a precaution to stop smugglers from deciding who enters Greece. The plan will be carried out with the support of Libya and European countries.
The announcement was made on June 23, 2025, during a regular meeting with President Costas Tasoulas in Athens. Mitsotakis said that he asked the Minister of National Defense and the Armed Forces to begin the mission soon. He also plans to speak about the issue during the EU Summit.
“We must send a strong message to migrant smugglers that they cannot control our borders,” the Prime Minister said. He explained that this mission would be peaceful and based on cooperation with Libya and Europe.
Why is Greece sending Navy ships near Libya?
Greece has seen a sharp increase in migrant arrivals recently. In just one day last week, 731 migrants, including many children and families, arrived on the islands of Crete and Gavdos. Most of them came from Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Pakistan, after leaving from Tobruk, Libya.
The growing number of arrivals has caused worry in the country. Also, recent diplomatic tensions between Greece and Libya have made migration cooperation more difficult, officials say. The Navy operation is seen as a way to manage the situation before it worsens.
Greece has long been one of the main entry points for people fleeing war, poverty, or political problems in the Middle East and Africa. Many use Libya as a starting point for dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea.
In another part of his speech, Mitsotakis spoke about a recent terror attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria. He said he was deeply upset and urged the Syrian government to protect people of all religions and take clear actions to prevent such attacks.