Title: Frontex: Irregular Migration Increased by 10% in the First Half of 2023

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) reported on Monday that irregular migration to EU countries increased by 10% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year, with most arrivals coming via Mediterranean routes. The agency recorded 132,370 attempts to reach EU states through irregular crossings from the beginning of the year until the end of June, stating that this represents a 10% increase from the same period last year. It added that crossings through central Mediterranean routes rose by more than a third and accounted for half of the total number, with an increase in arrivals from Tunisia to Italy. Traffic across all other routes leading to EU countries decreased compared to the first half of 2022. Earlier this month, the EU signed an agreement with Tunisia to curb irregular migration to the bloc, aiming to tighten control over sea arrivals ahead of the upcoming European elections scheduled for next year.