Labour MEP Miriam Dalli yesterday urged the EU to immediately address the instability in Libya which, she said, was leading to human trafficking.
The recent tragedies in the Mediterreanean Sea, she said, were the result of the instability there and an EU-wide effort was required to address the situation.
Addressing a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, during which the Socialist and Democrats Group tabled a resolution on the Libya situation, Dr Dalli spoke about the recent reports of the deaths of hundreds of immigrants trying to cross to Europe from Africa.
The situation was exerting pressure on EU border states, particularly Malta and Italy.
She appealed to other EU member states and the international community to commit themselves to finding a solution that would halt the violence and put Libya on the road to peace.
The MEP also encouraged cooperation with the United Nations, which she described as the ideal forum for taking action over the situation in the troubled North African state.
She stressed the need to implement the priorities highlighted by the Task Force for the Mediterranean. On the situation in Ukraine, Dr Dalli said this was Europe’s problem as well and action should be taken to solve it.