Both European Alliance Members welcomed Libyan representatives from local communities to ARLEM. They said that this is great progress in cooperation through this Assembly.  A wide ranging discussion on managing migration in the Mediterranean took place during the Plenary Session as a follow-up on ARLEM 's report on this issue.

 

Mr Stewart Maxwell, the EA Member at the ARLEM Bureau underlined the crucial role of local and regional authorities in managing migration crises.  He said that "part of solution to this problem is the reconstruction of stability and security in North Africa. It is crucial now to help the local authorities to develop the tools for smart urban management, helping build capacity in order to offer good levels of services to citizens".  "It could encourage the people who don't want to leave their homes to stay and to have a secure future and also provide opportunities for returning migrants."- he added.