Brussels, 14/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - According to a press release, on Monday 14 September the Council of the EU made its assessment that the conditions had been met for moving on from phase 1 of the EUNAVFOR Med operation to phase 2 at sea. Phase 2 of the operation involves the boarding, search, seizure and diversion of boats at sea if they are flagless or if the country of which they are flying the flag gives its agreement.
The Council stated that the naval operation had “fulfilled all military objectives related to phase 1 focusing upon the collection and analysis of information and intelligence”. Phase 1 is collecting information and patrolling at sea in order to support the detection and monitoring of smuggler networks.
This assessment is one of the formal steps required for the Council in the process of moving on from phase 1 of the operation to phase 2 at sea. A force generation conference will be held on Wednesday 16 September in order to see what the member states can provide for the operation. The operation commander, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, has reportedly stated that seven vessels are needed. Phase 2 would also apparently require planes, helicopters, drones and submarines. The member states will have to approve the rules of engagement for phase 2 at sea. Once these rules have been approved and Credendino has said he has the “necessary assets”, the ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee (PSC) will decide on the launch of the second phase. This could be at the end of September or beginning of October.
During phase 2, the navy will be able to board a boat and stop the traffickers. Traffickers will be taken to Italy and judged under Italian law. The monitoring and rescue of migrants will continue.
Credendino spoke to the PSC ambassadors on 27 August and proposed moving on to the second phase. Transition to phase 2 was then discussed by the foreign affairs and defence ministers during their informal meetings. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini announced at that time that there was a “large consensus” on the need for this naval operation. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)