Brussels, 15/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - European Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence are expected to pave the way for setting up a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission that will seek to “destroy the economic model” used by traffickers that cross the Mediterranean to the jeopardy of migrants.
On 13 May, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, explained “I expect the Ministers to make the first decisions on the mission on Monday”. On 23 April during a Special European Council, heads of state and government called on the High Representative “to undertake systematic efforts to identify, intercept and destroy vessels before they are used by the traffickers” (see EUROPE 11301).
Mogherini emphasised that the decisions that could be taken on Monday “would mean indicating the Headquarters, Command and the continuation of planning”. This process would help define a Crisis Management Concept (CMC) and would require an official decision to set up the mission. According to one European source, work is currently being undertaken to decide on the Command and the Headquarters. Rear-Admiral Enrico Credendino from Italy, who commanded the EUNAVFOR naval force operation, could possibly head the mission, whose headquarters would be in Rome.
One senior European official, however, explained that it was possible that ministers were hoping for a resolution from the UN Security Council so that it was possible to make a legal decision to set up the CSDP mission. The EU will be able to intervene without this kind of resolution if it is taking action in international waters on a vessel that is not flying a flag or if the country where the vessel flying the flag has given its agreement. According to a source from member states, the first operation phase would require a UN resolution on intelligence gathering by maritime and aviation resources, in an effort to obtain improved mapping of this phenomenon.
Importance of UN resolution
The EU, however, would like a UN resolution (chapter 7) which would allow for the use of coercive actions to take place, as well as action in Libyan territorial waters. The senior European official mentioned above explained that “I consider that obtaining a Security Council resolution under chapter 7 is almost an imperative”, adding that the resolution he hoped for would be made in the week of 18-21 May. The source from the member states explained “we need this resolution to make the different elements in their mission more robust”. She also mentioned the seizing of vessels before migrants board them, a stage that would take place “on Libyan territory or in Libyan territorial waters”.
According to The Guardian, the draft CMC would advocate that a presence on the shores could be envisaged if an agreement were concluded with the competent Libyan authorities. The country does not have as yet a government of national unity. The authorities in Tobruk say that they would be in favour of a UN resolution, whilst those in Tripoli have more misgivings about it. The Crisis Management Concept also explains that “the operation would require a broader range of aviation, maritime and terrestrial capability. This could include: intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; inspection teams, patrol units (air or maritime), amphibious resources, air and sea destruction capability, including units of Special Forces. Mogherini pointed out, however, that “there will be no boots on the ground”. The senior European official also confirmed that “there is no question of sending soldiers to Libya at this stage of the operation”.
Once the Crisis Management Concept is adopted, it would be necessary to take a legal decision to formally set up the mission and then implement it at an operational level. The decision for setting up the mission could possibly be taken during the June European Council, explained Mogherini.
Middle East. Foreign Affairs Ministers are also expected to discuss the Middle East peace process, following the Israeli elections on 17 March last. The Council also officially appointed in the middle of last April, a new EU Special Representative for the peace process, Fernando Gentilini, from Italy. Mogherini will travel to the region on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 May, where she will have a number of meetings, including one with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
According to one European source, “the time has come for the EU to play a role”. The EU may explore what levers it has at its disposal to exert pressure and what initiatives it could take to put this pressure on the different parties.
FYROM. Ministers may also return to the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The government and opposition in the country have accused each other of corruption and espionage. At the beginning of May, an armed group sowed terror in the city of Kumanovo (see EUROPE 11312).
The Foreign Affairs Council will be preceded by an EU-Turkey Association Council, which will examine the progress made in relations between the EU and Ankara and Turkey's accession process. An EU-Albania Association and Stabilisation Council will also take place. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)