Strasbourg, 29 May 2018 – Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko has participated today in the debate on the Report on Recommendation to the European Council, European Commission and Commission Vice-President/High Representative on Libya, held in Strasbourg.
Zovko pointed out in the debate that the geographical and strategic position of Libya was of key importance for the stability of the entire Northern Africa and Mediterranean, whereby not only Libya’s borders with the Mediterranean posed a problem, but also its borders with the countries from which the waves of migrants were flowing and whose institutions were in a very bad shape. In the context of resolving the crisis in Libya, Zovko called for a more intensive involvement of the European Union and efficient mobilisation of funds for external financing with the uttermost goal to renew the country’s institutions and infrastructure, set up a civil society and remove the key causes of migration waves coming to Europe through Libya.
“The European Union must provide unconditional support in the implementation of the UN Action Plan for Libya in order to help the country to reach national reconciliation. Functional administration, police and army should certainly be given a priority, so that the country may protect its borders.” – said Zovko.
Furthermore, Zovko pointed out that the EU may not be protected on the Schengen borders only, but that it must be protected on the Libyan borders as well, whereby it is of uttermost importance to enhance the fight against smugglers and slave trade as key tools for resolving the migrants’ pressures.
“If we want to remove the cause of illegal migration and future instability in Europe, we must start with providing stability to Libya and the entire Balkans, through which a new wave of migrants is coming to Europe.“ – said Zovko.
She further stressed that the EU, as the largest donor of financial aid for development, must take on a more ambitious role in finding a solution for the stability in Libya, the country which has now been exporting instability to Europe.
“It is now time for the international stage to take a firm position on this issue, so that our citizens are aware what we have been undertaking on their behalf.” – said Zovko.