About this Episode
"In this episode of Greek News in English, we explore Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statements at the EU Summit regarding Greece's intensified anti-migration policies focused on cooperation with Libyan authorities amid rising migrant flows from eastern Libya. We discuss concerns over alleged human rights abuses by the Libyan Coast Guard—funded by the EU—and how Greece's approach reflects broader themes of militarized border control and geopolitical tensions involving Turkey-Libya relations and energy security within Europe. Based on reporting from The Press Project dated June 26th, 2025."
Article Discussed: "Μητσοτάκης από Σύνοδο Κορυφής: Προαναγγέλλει συνεργασία με τις εγκληματικές «Αρχές» της Λιβύης για τις αποτροπές προσφύγων - The Press Project - Ειδήσεις, Αναλύσεις, Ραδιόφωνο, Τηλεόραση"
Author: Νεκταρία Ψαράκη
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Episode Transcript
Luca: Welcome to Greek News in English! Today we're diving into a critical and complex issue: Greece's approach to migration policy, especially in relation to Libya. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently attended the EU Summit in Brussels, where he emphasized the need for stronger measures to curb increased migration flows from eastern Libya to Greece.
Lane: That's right, Luca. Mitsotakis highlighted that Greece has already deployed its Navy for patrols off the Libyan coast and is seeking cooperation with Libyan authorities to prevent migrant boats from even leaving Libyan shores. He also called for a new return policy, continuing Greece's tough stance on border control and asylum seekers.
Luca: Exactly. The Prime Minister made it clear that Greece demands collaboration with what he called 'Libyan authorities' to stop human traffickers' boats before they reach international waters. This means intercepting migrants earlier in their journey, which is a significant shift towards militarizing border protection.
Lane: However, this strategy raises serious concerns because these Libyan authorities have repeatedly been accused of grave human rights abuses. The so-called Libyan Coast Guard, which is trained and funded by the European Union, faces allegations of kidnapping refugees at sea, violent pushbacks into detention centers where torture occurs, shootings at rescuers and migrants—even within international waters—and links with smuggling networks.
Luca: Despite these accusations documented by international organizations and NGOs, the EU continues to support these forces materially and politically. So Greece’s decision to seek closer cooperation with them while sending military ships signals active participation in a policy that militarizes deterrence and criminalizes asylum seekers.
Lane: Mitsotakis also reiterated Greece’s intention to push for explicit references at the EU Summit condemning the so-called 'illegal Turkey-Libya memorandum,' which he says violates Greek sovereignty and produces no legitimate effects. Beyond migration, he addressed other foreign policy issues like calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemning terrorist attacks against Greek Orthodox Christians in Syria.
Luca: So summing up: we have a government doubling down on hardline migration policies by cooperating with controversial Libyan forces despite their record of abuses. At the same time, it’s pushing geopolitical messages about energy independence and regional security tied into broader EU discussions on bureaucracy reduction and competitiveness.
Lane: Yes, Luca. It’s a multifaceted situation where migration control intersects with foreign policy priorities like energy security and regional stability. But it also highlights ethical dilemmas around partnering with actors accused of human rights violations—raising questions about Europe's role in these practices.
Luca: To wrap up our discussion today: we covered how Greece is intensifying its anti-migration efforts through naval patrols off Libya's coast and seeking cooperation with Libyan authorities despite serious allegations against them. We also touched on related EU dynamics involving energy policies and geopolitical tensions including Turkey-Libya relations. This episode underscores how migration policies are deeply entangled with broader political strategies.
Lane: Absolutely, Luca. Understanding these complexities helps us grasp not only what’s happening at Europe’s borders but also how those actions reflect wider challenges around human rights, diplomacy, and regional cooperation. Thanks for joining us on Greek News in English—stay informed until next time!
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