TRIPOLI, July 17 -- European and African leaders gathered in Libya on Wednesday to attend the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in an effort to collaborate on finding solutions to the migration issue.

The forum aims to formulate a unified vision that enhances cooperation and coordination between the countries concerned, in order to develop the foundations of sustainable economic and trade European-African relations, said Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah.

Dbeibah called for reallocating the funds currently used to manage irregular migration flows toward financing development projects in African source countries, according to the official Libyan News Agency LANA.

"Let us implement real projects that lead to the stability of the people of these countries in their regions," he said.

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno urged the development of solutions to irregular migration and the identification of its root causes, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue while upholding human rights.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that her country considers resolving migration issue a priority, noting that large numbers of irregular migrants require intensifying efforts with the countries in the region.

Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted the efforts made by the Libyan government to rescue migrants and cooperate on the issue of irregular migration, calling for collective action to reduce migration and organized criminal networks.

Margaritis Schinas, vice president of the European Commission, stressed the European Union's support for Libya in addressing migration, noting that the number of migrants crossing to Europe from Libya has dropped compared to five years ago.

According to LANA, the meeting will address several issues, including enhancing border management, strengthening rescue and relief mechanisms for migrants, and providing necessary support to countries receiving migrants.

Ever since the downfall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has become a preferred point of departure for some African migrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach European shores.

  - Xinhua