Miriam Dalli calls on EU to take central role in Libya

The European Union must take a central role in dealing with the situation in Libya, Labour MEP Miriam Dalli said during a debate with the European Commission and the European Council.

“There has never been a better time to discuss this pertinent issue, not only because there is a need to take urgent action on immigration but also due to the recent development in the Mediterranean,” Dalli said, citing reports that Islamic State extremists have taken over the Libyan coastal city of Derna.

She also called on the European Commission and Council to implement a strategy to combat irregular immigration.

“Our citizens feel that there is no interest at EU level to change the current situation,” Dalli said. She said that the EU should "revise" the Dublin Regulation on immigration and come up with a “comprehensive strategy” with third countries to address the situation in conflict-ridden zones such as Libya and Syria.

“I believe that only with these measures in toe can we seriously address the problem of immigration that we have been paying lip-service to for far too long,” Dalli said.