Luxembourg, 18/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Saturday 16 April, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said that the mandate of the European Union's naval operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med Sophia) - which aims to combat migrant smugglers - should be extended and amended to include training activities for the Libyan coastguard.
The operation's mandate currently runs until the end of July and a discussion on EUNAVFOR Med Sophia was on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday 18 April. The Council was still ongoing as EUROPE went to press.
Mogherini spoke about this issue during her visit aboard the flagship of the operation, the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour. She stated at that time that the discussion at the Council would focus on the possibility of moving on to Phase 2b of the operation - in other words, the possibility of intercepting in Libyan territorial waters. This requires a parliamentary agreement in several member states, including Germany. Mogherini also mentioned the possible expansion of the area of the operation, stating that there could be a need or an interest to work more to the east.
The decision to move on to Phase 2b could be taken “in case the Libyan authorities will request so, will invite us to do so”, Mogherini said during a press conference. While it is up to the Libyan authorities to define their priorities, “we are ready to discuss with the ministers what is needed to be ready” when a request is made, she said.
Mogherini also stated that she would propose to the ministers that they work on the possibility of including the training of the Libyan coastguard in the mandate of the operation - if the Libyans think this would be useful. “This is exactly in line with the spirit that animates us: a transfer of capacities that would allow and empower the Libyan counterpart and the Libyan authorities to control and to manage the flows at land and by sea by themselves and not requiring our intervention”, she said.
Some member states would also like the mandate's operation to be extended. According to several European sources, France would like the mandate extended to tackle arms trafficking, and it justifies this by the many weapons destined for ISIL in the country passing over the sea. Other member states instead highlight the need for the exchange of information with the Libyan coastguard.
Elsewhere, Mogherini announced that since the launch of the operation in international waters in October, over 13,000 people (including 800 children) have been saved, while 68 traffickers have been arrested and around a hundred “boats” recovered. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)