EU Commission in Constant Contact with Greece Over Irregular Arrivals from Libya

The European Commission has confirmed ongoing and close communication with the Greek authorities in response to a sharp rise in irregular migrant arrivals from eastern Libya, a development that has triggered alarm in both Athens and Brussels.

European Commission spokesperson for migration Markus Lammert, speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, said:

“We are in continuous communication with the Greek authorities regarding the irregular arrivals from Libya.”

He revealed that Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner and Commissioner for Democracy and Demography Dubravka Šuica had held discussions on the issue with the Greek Foreign Minister just a day earlier. The matter has also been addressed directly by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who raised it in a letter sent to EU heads of state ahead of this week’s European Council meeting.

According to von der Leyen’s letter, 93% of illegal border crossings at the EU’s external frontiers now originate from Libya, with a 173% surge in arrivals to Greece from eastern Libya alone. Despite a general 21% drop in irregular border crossings across the EU during the first half of 2025, the sharp increase on this route is seen as a critical concern.

Concerns Over Instrumentalisation of Migration

Both Lammert and von der Leyen raised the possibility that Libya may be “instrumentalising migration for political purposes.” In response, von der Leyen has instructed Commissioner Brunner to travel to Libya for urgent talks with authorities in both the east and west of the country.

“Given the current situation and indications of a potential use of migration by Libya for political purposes, it is important that we engage with all relevant stakeholders,” Lammert stressed.

Support to Libyan Authorities

The Commission emphasized the importance of maintaining operational and financial support to the Libyan coast guard and other relevant agencies, particularly concerning search and rescue operations. Brussels views such cooperation as critical to managing the Central Mediterranean route, which remains one of the most heavily used and dangerous migration corridors into Europe.

As arrivals to Greece rise sharply, the EU appears increasingly focused on reinforcing regional cooperation and monitoring maritime activities more closely — including the deployment of Greek naval assets in the area, a point not denied by Commission officials.