On 22 May, EU Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando held the 8th meeting of the EU Technical Mission on Rights-Based Migration and Border Management along with representatives of EUBAM Libya, Operational Irini, and the European Commission, as well as representatives of institutions in Benghazi. Orlando said he commended the efforts of authorities nationwide to improve the governance of migration in line with sovereign responsibilities and confirmed the EU’s support to ensure alignment with international standards and human rights.
They reviewed progress and challenges, and agreed to advance the operationalization of dialogue in close cooperation with the relevant UN agencies in key areas including: Support for land border management and security; Search and rescue to save lives at sea and in the desert, including by establishing a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Benghazi; Enhanced dialogue on combating transnational human smuggling and trafficking networks; Voluntary humanitarian returns; and Humanitarian protection of migrants and refugees.