The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has decided to approve the renewal of the standing Memorandum of Understanding with the Libyan authorities concerning migration management. The agreement is designed to structure cooperation between the two nations in combating human trafficking and curbing the flow of irregular migration across the Mediterranean Sea route, according to a report by the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.
The renewal decision was made ahead of the memorandum’s expiration date on 2 November. The majority of the Italian cabinet members stressed the vital necessity of extending the agreement to continue providing support to the Libyan Coast Guard and to enhance effective coordination in maritime border surveillance operations.
The proposal secured significant backing in the Italian Parliament, with 153 votes in favour, against 112 opposing votes, and 9 abstentions, which provided the government with the political mandate to proceed with the extension.
As reported by the newspaper, the renewed agreement will now remain in effect for an additional three-year term. This extension proceeds despite persistent international human rights criticisms levelled at Italy for its backing of the Libyan Coast Guard, which faces accusations of committing violations and carrying out forced deportations against migrants, sending them back to a country deemed “unsafe” by international organisations.
