(VOVworld) - European Union leaders meeting in Malta have agreed on a plan to reduce the flow of migrants from Libya.

Many thousands of migrants each year make a journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. (Photo: AP)

Libya's UN-backed government will receive 200 million euros, including funding to increase training and equipment for its coastguard. The EU hopes Libya will be better able to disrupt people-smuggling networks and turn back migrant boats. Most of the thousands who make the dangerous crossing over the Mediterranean to Italy are from Africa.
The EU will increase financial support to 31 billion euros for African countries near Libya through ODA projects to support local communities on migration routes and in coastal areas to improve their socio-economic situation.