Cooperation with Libya on migrants at risk: Italy

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Italy said yesterday Libya may renege on a deal to control the flow of illegal immigrants because of a visa spat with Switzerland that has escalated into a Europe-wide row.

Tripoli has stopped issuing visas to citizens of the Schengen passport-free zone that includes most of the European Union as well as Switzerland, in retaliation for a decision by Berne to bar entry to some Libyans including the country’s leader Muammar Gaddafi and his family.

Italy, which has close business links with Libya, has accused Switzerland of misusing the Schengen agreement and taking its members “hostage” by slapping the ban, which had forced other states to bar travel by Libyans as well.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting of European Union interior ministers, Italy’s Roberto Maroni said the row put the Schengen zone at risk and could further strain relations with Libya.

Cooperation by Tripoli in controlling immigration to the EU was one issue, he said.
“The fear is in part that … Libya could weaken its border controls concerning illegal immigration,” he told reporters.

The EU has offered Libya €20 million ($26.95 million) to help it cope with the flow of illegal migrants who often use the country as a departure point for southern Europe, particularly Italy.

Rome has also signed a cooperation agreement with its former North African colony last year to curb migration across the Mediterranean by setting up joint patrols.

Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf attended a meeting with EU ministers on Thursday to discuss possible solutions to the travel row.

She reiterated Swiss denials that Berne had misused Schengen deals but declined to offer any details yesterday’s talks.

A Swiss businessman has been given a jail sentence after a visa standoff.

Pic: President Muammar Gaddafi of Libya

Source: www.af.reuters.com