Libya Memorandum renewed, how the rules on migrants written by Minniti work

The government majority confirmed the line of the Memorandum signed on 2 February 2017 in Rome by Italy and Libya (Prime Minister at the time, Paolo Gentiloni of the Pd and Marco Minniti at the Viminale; while Fayez Mustafa Serraj was at the head of the National Reconciliation Government of the State of Libya) in the fight against migrant smugglers and to stop departures from the African country. This was the effect of the motion proposed by the centre-right and approved in the House on Wednesday 15 October with 153 yes, 112 no and 9 abstentions, thus counting only on its own votes in the House.

The Meloni government, which could have asked for a stop to the memorandum by 2 November, has decided to go straight ahead in the battle against traffickers on the other side of the Mediterranean. Thus the agreement that provides for support to the Libyan coast guard and the collaboration of the two countries in border control has been renewed. The oppositions, who did not vote for the document, were against it. Not only. Eight years after that signature, the centre-left has changed its mind, partially, on the agreement. And it has been divided on the commitments asked of the executive. Two motions were presented by the oppositions and both were rejected by the House: one signed by the PD, AVS, Italia viva and Più Europa; the other by the M5s.

The 'Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Development, Combating Illegal Immigration, Trafficking in Human Beings, Smuggling, and Strengthening Border Security between the State of Libya and the Republic of Italy' stipulates, on the one hand, that Italy undertakes to provide technical and technological support to Libyan bodies in charge of the fight against illegal immigration, which are represented by the border and coast guard of the Ministry of Defence, and the relevant bodies and departments at the Ministry of the Interior. On the other hand, it provides support and funding for growth programmes in the regions affected by illegal immigration, in different sectors, such as renewable energy, infrastructure, health, transport, human resources development, education, staff training and scientific research. It stipulates the creation of temporary reception camps in L

The agreement is valid for three years, but is scheduled to be tacitly renewed on expiry for an equivalent period, unless one of the two contracting parties notifies the other in writing at least three months before the expiry of the period of validity. Italy has confirmed the renewal, despite calls from oppositions and non-governmental organisations to cancel it. Criticism focuses on Italy's role in supporting a Libyan Coast Guard accused of violations, leading to forced repatriations to an unsafe country.

In the first eight months of the year, according to indications provided in the last few hours by UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 42,693 arrivals by sea were recorded, an increase of 2% compared to the same period in 2024 (42,006). Since the beginning of 2025, Libya is the first country of departure with 88% of all arrivals by sea to Italy (59% in the first eight months of 2024).