Avramopoulos criticizes Greece’s plan to deploy warship near Libya to curb migration
Former EU Commissioner and Greek MP Dimitris Avramopoulos has criticized the Greek government’s plan to send a military vessel near Libyan waters to combat irregular migration, warning it could be both ineffective and legally problematic.
Speaking to Action 24 television, Avramopoulos addressed the recent surge in migration from Libya to the Greek island of Crete and the government’s controversial response plan. He argued that deploying naval forces near the Libyan coast would neither stop migration nor serve Greece’s interests internationally.
“You try to stop a boat, it capsizes, people drown—then the country that sent that ship is held accountable,” he said, emphasizing the constraints imposed by international maritime and humanitarian law.
Avramopoulos cautioned that forcibly intercepting migrant vessels could lead to tragedy and legal repercussions, referencing the June 2023 Pylos (Navarino) shipwreck that claimed hundreds of lives.
“If there is another Navarino, this time the blame will fall on us,” he warned.
The Greek government has been considering the deployment of naval vessels near Libyan territorial waters in an attempt to stem the growing number of irregular migrants reaching Crete from North Africa. However, Avramopoulos maintained that such actions are unlikely to be effective and could tarnish Greece’s international image.
He concluded by urging authorities to adopt more comprehensive and lawful approaches to migration management.
