Prime Minister Babiš held talks with the Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord of Libya Fayez al-Sarraj on migration and security
On Wednesday, 30 January 2019, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš met with the Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord of Libya Fayez al-Sarraj. During the meeting in Kramář’s Villa, they talked mainly about the situation in Libya and the support of the Czech Republic, migration and related security issues. They continued the discussion at a working lunch in the Hrzán Palace. Foreign Ministers of both countries also attended the meeting.
“I am glad that Prime Minister Sarraj has had the opportunity to visit the Czech Republic even though the situation in his country is really not easy. I know that the Prime Minister is making a huge personal effort to stabilize Libya and start a dialogue between the different forces in the country. The significance of the visit at these difficult times is symbolic for Libya, and I assured Mr Sarraj that the Czech Republic fully supports its internationally recognized Government of National Accord, as well as the efforts of the United Nations to reconcile the country”, said the Czech Prime Minister.
In addition to prospects for mutual cooperation on economic or health issues, the talks mainly focused on illegal migration and security in the region.
“Of course we also talked about illegal migration and how to stop it before the Libyan coast. We must finally stop the traffickers and their activities. There must be a system solution”, said Andrej Babiš.
The Prime Minister stressed that to strengthen mutual cooperation including the economic area, political unification of Libya and the improvement of the security situation in the country is necessary. The Czech Prime Minister also appreciated that the Government of National Accord is cooperating with the European Union to address illegal migration through the Central Mediterranean route.
The Czech Republic also supports the people of Libya financially. In 2017, EUR 1 million was earmarked for the first phase of the Italian-led Libyan coast and border guards training project. Last year, the Czech Republic, like the other three countries of the Visegrad Group, provided EUR 8.75 million through the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa to strengthen the Libyan coast guard capacities. Under the Medevac program, the Czech Republic provided cardio-surgical equipment for medical facilities in Libya, and the Czech Republic contributed to the improvement of living conditions in Libya’s refugee camps.
The Prime Minister of Libya is visiting the Czech Republic for the first time since 1989. Prime Minister Sarraj is also accompanied by Foreign Minister Mohamed Taha Siala, who visited the Czech Republic in December 2016.
