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EU and AU tackle migration crisis EU and AU tackle migration crisis
(about 2 hours later)
Ministers from Europe and Africa are in Libya to discuss ways to stem the flow of illegal immigrants using North Africa as a transit route to Europe.Ministers from Europe and Africa are in Libya to discuss ways to stem the flow of illegal immigrants using North Africa as a transit route to Europe.
The European Union and African Union meeting comes amid growing European concern over illegal immigration.The European Union and African Union meeting comes amid growing European concern over illegal immigration.
This year the Spanish authorities detained 28,000 people in the Canary Islands, while 16,000 were held on the Italian island of Lampedusa.This year the Spanish authorities detained 28,000 people in the Canary Islands, while 16,000 were held on the Italian island of Lampedusa.
The conference is the first of its kind and scale to be held on migration. The two-day meeting is the first of its kind and scale to be held on migration.
We hope most people will be serious to solve this problem, but I am not sure they will be serious - I think this is just propaganda Muammar Gadaffi
The two continents are due to adopt a declaration seeking ways to address issues like the protection of refugees, the fight against irregular migration and joint border patrol.The two continents are due to adopt a declaration seeking ways to address issues like the protection of refugees, the fight against irregular migration and joint border patrol.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says the conference host and Libyan leader Muammar Gadaffi has low expectations, suggesting that the joint Euro-African conference might be a sham.
Click here to see the main routes taken by African migrants Click here to see the main routes taken by African migrants
"We hope most people will be serious to solve this problem. But I am not sure they will be serious. I think this is just propaganda," he said. A join action plan to combat the slave trade, especially in women and children, is also expected to be agreed.
Economic divideEconomic divide
European and North African countries face a growing number of illegal immigrants.European and North African countries face a growing number of illegal immigrants.
Libya and Morocco are North Africa's biggest launch pads for sub-Saharan Africans who make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.Libya and Morocco are North Africa's biggest launch pads for sub-Saharan Africans who make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.
We hope most people will be serious to solve this problem, but I am not sure they will be serious - I think this is just propaganda Muammar Gaddafi
Europe has repeatedly asked both countries to step up their efforts to curb the flow.Europe has repeatedly asked both countries to step up their efforts to curb the flow.
At the start of proceedings, Libyan Foreign Minister Abdelrahmane Chalgham said that "repressive solutions alone are not enough to fight against illegal immigration".
Libya has called on the EU to give Africa $10bn (7.8bn euros; £5.2bn) a year for development projects to prevent people from leaving their countries.
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, said "the EU's commitment to African development is total".
"The EU attaches great importance to regional approaches on migration," he said.
The EU has offered 1.5m euros ($1.9m; £1m) to support an Italian project to monitor Libya's border with Niger - an operation which has been attacked by rights groups.The EU has offered 1.5m euros ($1.9m; £1m) to support an Italian project to monitor Libya's border with Niger - an operation which has been attacked by rights groups.
So far Libya has refused permission to European nations to patrol its territorial waters.So far Libya has refused permission to European nations to patrol its territorial waters.
Libya has called on the EU to give Africa $10bn (7.8bn euros; £5.2bn) a year for development projects to prevent people from leaving their countries. The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says the conference host and Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has low expectations, suggesting that the joint Euro-African talks might be a sham.
"We hope most people will be serious to solve this problem. But I am not sure they will be serious. I think this is just propaganda," he said.
Our correspondent says it will be interesting to see how the two continents address the economic divide that is at the root of their dilemma.Our correspondent says it will be interesting to see how the two continents address the economic divide that is at the root of their dilemma.
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