EU launches Operation IRINI to enforce Libya arms embargo! The European Union is stepping up its efforts to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya, thereby contributing to the peace process in the country, through the launch of a new CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) military operation in the Mediterranean. #eudebates #eudebates #NATO #Security #Defence #maritime #Military #ARMY #Cyber #HybridAttacks #NATO #Syria #Libya #coronavirusitalla #Covid_19 #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #Corona #COVD19 #Health #EUCO #COVID
The Council today adopted a decision launching Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI as from 1 April 2020.
IRINI, (Greek for "peace"), will have as its core task the implementation of the UN arms embargo through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets. In particular the mission will be able to carry out inspections of vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected to be carrying arms or related material to and from Libya in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2292 (2016).
As secondary tasks, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI will also:
monitor and gather information on illicit exports from Libya of petroleum, crude oil and refined petroleum products
contribute to the capacity building and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy in law enforcement tasks at sea
contribute to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks through information gathering and patrolling by planes
IRINI will be led by Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini as EU Operation Commander, and its headquarters will be located in Rome, Italy.
The mandate of Operation IRINI will initially last until 31 March 2021, and will be under the close scrutiny of EU Member States, that will exercise political control and strategic direction through the Political and Security Committee (PSC), under the responsibility of the Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
In parallel with the launch of Operation IRINI, the existing EUNAVFOR MED operation in the Mediterranean, SOPHIA, will permanently cease its activities.
Participants at the Berlin Conference on Libya on 19 January 2020 committed in particular to fully respect and implement the arms embargo established by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1970 (2011), 2292 (2016) and 2473 (2019).
Against this background, the Council reached a political agreement to launch a new operation in the Mediterranean, aimed at implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya by using aerial, satellite and maritime assets on 17 February 2020.
EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA was launched on 22 June 2015 as part of the EU's comprehensive approach to migration, and will cease permanently on 31 March.
The European Union will launch a new Mediterranean naval and air mission in April to stop more arms reach warring factions in Libya, EU diplomats said on Thursday, with Greece agreeing to take in any migrants rescued at sea. #eudebates #eudebates #NATO #Security #Defence #maritime #Military #ARMY #Cyber #HybridAttacks #NATOmeeting #NATOLondon
The decision, which was delayed by divisions over migrants, followed warnings by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell that the bloc risked becoming irrelevant if it could not act, potentially leaving Libya’s fate to Turkey and Russia.
“Greece has allowed disembarkation (of rescued migrants) in its ports,” said an EU diplomat involved in the negotiations, adding that other EU governments agreed to help cover the harbor costs of bringing those rescued on shore to avoid more financial pressure on Athens.
The new mission, named Irini, will replace the EU’s current military mission, known as Operation Sophia, which stopped deploying ships a year ago after Italy, facing an anti-immigrant backlash, said it would no longer take migrants rescued at sea.
With hundreds of thousands making the perilous crossing from North Africa each year and thousands dying at sea, EU ships are required under international law to rescue those in trouble.
Sophia’s mandate expires at the end of March, meaning Irini aims to start patrolling the eastern Mediterranean, where most arms smuggling takes place, from April. However, diplomats acknowledged the EU is unable to patrol the Egypt-Libya land border, through which artillery is still being delivered.
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EU foreign ministers focused on the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the repatriation of EU citizens, in a video conference chaired by the EU's High Representative Josep Borrell. They agreed on the importance of assistance to third countries and fighting the negative impact of disinformation. #eudebates #coronavirusitalla #Covid_19 #coronavirus #CoronavirusOutbreak #Corona #COVD19 #Health #EUCO #COVID
