Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner in Athens on July 1 to discuss the increasing pressure of migrant arrivals from Libya to Greece. During their meeting at the Maximos Mansion, both leaders shared concerns over the rise in boat crossings from eastern Libya to southern Greece, especially the island of Crete. Mitsotakis warned that this new route could soon become a major corridor for irregular migration unless immediate action is taken.
The Greek Prime Minister thanked the European Commission for acting quickly and welcomed the planned visit of Commissioner Brunner to Libya on July 8. Brunner will travel alongside migration ministers from Greece, Italy, and Malta, under a united effort known as “Team Europe.” Mitsotakis said that strong cooperation with Libya is necessary to stop migrant boats from leaving the country’s shores in the first place. According to him, preventing departures is the only way to stop the new migration route from becoming permanent.
In recent months, Greece has experienced rising numbers of migrants landing on Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos. Many of the new arrivals are from Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Pakistan. Some were rescued at sea, while others managed to reach land. More than 450 migrants have been temporarily housed at shelters, including a soccer field in Rethymno and an exhibition centre in Chania, as authorities carry out identity checks and legal processing.
The leaders also discussed how to improve the return of irregular migrants through stronger EU partnerships with third countries. They highlighted the need to implement the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which includes policies to speed up the return process and ensure that safe third countries can be part of migration solutions. Mitsotakis emphasized that migration remains a serious issue in Greece’s relations with Turkey and called for better management of challenges across the Central and Eastern Mediterranean.
Why is Libya a key concern for Europe right now?
Libya has long been one of the main departure points for migrants trying to reach Europe. With fewer patrols and political instability in Libya, human smugglers often send overcrowded boats to nearby European shores. Greece, especially its southern islands like Crete, has now become a growing target. Both Greek and EU leaders want to stop this early by working with Libya directly and blocking the route before more lives are put at risk.
Commissioner Brunner praised Greece’s efforts in protecting the EU’s external borders and said that joint European action is crucial. He also outlined new EU-level plans to improve migration policies, including defining safe third countries and reforming the rules for returning migrants. Brunner said the goal is not only to stop irregular migration but also to build a stronger legal foundation for how Europe handles migration in the future.
The upcoming visit to Libya by EU migration leaders is expected to mark a turning point in how Europe handles routes from North Africa. It shows that there is growing concern among European nations about increasing migration pressures and a need to act as one. The Greek government, along with EU institutions, believes that these coordinated efforts will help control the situation before it worsens and will strengthen both border security and international cooperation.
As migration continues to challenge many countries, Greece and its EU partners are pushing forward with practical steps to prevent irregular flows and ensure that responses are both effective and humane. This joint strategy is aimed at stopping new migration routes before they become long-term problems and at supporting a more organised system for those seeking protection in Europe.