Brussels, 28/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - The EU and Libya are moving towards cooperation on illegal immigration. Following the go-ahead at the 3 June Council for beginning exploratory discussions, the Commission began a mission on 22-23 June. In a joint declaration adopted at the end of this visit, the two parties “expressed their firm commitment to work together and to use their best efforts to deal with illegal immigration”. They are exploring a number of cooperation possibilities: emergency sea rescue plan, border guard training, cooperation on immigrant reception centres, encouragement for cooperation with neighbouring countries. To this end, the Union and Libya will set up a joint committee, expected to meet up at the end of the year. A group of experts is expected to meet in the summer to discuss the sea rescue plan. To practically get these projects up and running, the Commission needs Member States to show some resolve. On Wednesday it is going to launch an appeal for proposals on cooperation in immigration (ARGOS 2005 programme). Member States have till 29 July to present projects. The Commission will give EUR 2 million out of a budget of EUR 6.2 million to Mediterranean countries, including Libya, announced Franco Frattini on Tuesday. Half of this EUR 2 million could go to an emergency project. The Commission hopes that Member State proposals will include a research and sea assistance project with Libya to swiftly demonstrate a European presence on the ground. Libya could also benefit from some of the 4 million euros in the AENEAS programme for North Africa. As Libya is not a signatory to the Barcelona Process, it cannot access funds other than those in MEDA.
In a document jointly signed in Tripoli by the Director General for “justice, freedom and security”, Jonathan Faull and Mr Saied-Elsaouid explained that Libya would respect the obligations in the African Convention on refugees to which it is a signatory but which it does not apply. However, Libya continued to deny that there were refugees on its territory, only economic immigrants, indicated one European source. Libya does not have legislation on asylum but announced a draft law on asylum and immigration but has not yet responded to the offers of assistance from the Commission for drafting this legislation. Commissioner Frattini said that the scale of cooperation would depend on “concrete proof” in this area but that this was not a condition for beginning projects. µThe joint document does not mention the fate of Bulgarian nurses, which had been mentioned during the Commission visit.