Most refugees are no longer arriving on the Aegean islands but are attempting the dangerous crossing from Libya directly to Crete, according to Tagesschau, citing political scientist Ioannis N. Grigoriadis. The shift in migration routes poses a major problem for Europe, the expert said.
The development is driven by growing tensions between Greece and Libya. In June 2025, Greece approved a tender for oil and gas exploration south of Crete, sparking protests in Libya. The internationally recognized government in Tripoli subsequently signed an agreement with Turkey for seismic surveys in the Mediterranean.
Turkey has recently strengthened its influence in Libya. The agreement between Ankara and Tripoli completely ignores the Greek islands and, in Greece’s view, violates international law. The eastern Libyan government, traditionally closer to Crete, is increasingly aligning with Turkey.
Greece bases its exploration on the principle of the median line, which includes Crete and Gavdos. The Tripoli government, backed by Turkey, considers this a provocation. A diplomatic crisis looms if either side takes unilateral action.
Source: Tagesschau
