Malta repairs Libyan Coast Guard's patrol boat

A patrol boat belonging to the Libyan Coast Guard was returned to Libyan authorities after it underwent repairs in Malta.

The vessel was formally handed back during a ceremony addressed by Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield.

Speaking at the event, Bedingfield described the handover as a milestone in the longstanding relationship between Malta and Libya.

He said cooperation between Malta and Libya produced tangible results in recent years, particularly in efforts to reduce irregular migration along the Central Mediterranean route. He said the decline in irregular arrivals shows the importance of coordinated action between countries facing common migration challenges.

Bedingfield claimed further efforts were needed to strengthen border controls, improve cooperation between law enforcement agencies and ensure action against criminal networks involved in the facilitation of irregular migration.

He added that border security measures alone would not resolve migration challenges, saying that greater emphasis should also be placed on addressing the underlying causes that drive people to leave their countries of origin.

The minister reiterated government's position that prevention should remain central to migration policy and said it was important to send a clear message that irregular migration is not a viable option.