Libya, EU: ‘A protocol issue prevented meetings in Benghazi’

Brussels, 9 July (LaPresse) – ‘What happened in Benghazi was a protocol issue. That is why it was not possible to hold the planned meetings. The EU will keep the channels of communication open and we will continue to work with a European team approach, involving all actors concerned.’ This was stated by European Commission spokesman Markus Lammert in his daily press briefing, referring to the rejection of the EU, Italian, Greek and Maltese delegation. "Commissioner Brunner was in Libya yesterday, together with the ministers responsible for migration from Greece, Italy and Malta. This was an important mission, carried out together with the Member States, in light of the recent increase in irregular arrivals from Libya. It was also a complex mission in Tripoli: fruitful discussions were held with the government, including the Prime Minister, but the meetings planned in Benghazi could not take place as planned," he explained. ‘We will continue our engagement with all actors involved today in Tripoli; a European Commission team continues to hold consultations at technical level. The European Commission is committed to working and cooperating with all key actors in Libya to address common challenges such as migration,’ he added.