The Government Council on Foreign and Defense Affairs (KYSEA), Greece’s highest decision-making body on foreign and defense policy, has underlined the need to cooperate with the Libyan authorities to prevent the establishment of a new migration route from eastern Libya to Crete.

According to a government announcement following a meeting of the council, the body also emphasized the European aspects of the issue of migration from Libya, ahead of the upcoming visits to the North African country by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.

Armament procurements were also discussed.

More than 7,300 migrants have reached Crete from Libya boats and small vessels since the start of this year. Last week, at least two Hellenic Navy frigates were deployed in international waters off Libya in a move aimed at halting the irregular migrant flow.

Source: Ekathimerini.com