On Friday 24 August, EUROPE received confirmation from several European sources that discussion between member states on the disembarkation of migrants/refugees rescued by EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia would continue on 28 August.
“Work is ongoing and discussion on the comprehensive strategic review will continue at the Political and Security Committee (PSC) next week”, i.e. Tuesday 28 August, a European source told EUROPE. The debate held on 23 August between member state ambassadors at the PSC was “a first exchange of views based on a draft contribution from the European External Action Service (EEAS)”, a draft prepared on the basis of contributions from member states taking into account the conclusions of the June European Council and rules applicable, the same source said.
However, an EU official pointed out that the draft was sent to member states only a few hours before the meeting of the Political and Security Committee and that some of them were not pleased with the proposal, considering it to be incomplete. He did not give further details.
According to the German press agency DPA, the EEAS recommends that migrants should no longer be brought to shore only in Italy, as is currently the case. Ideally, in future, all states taking part in the operation should take in those rescued, and this could be on the basis of voluntary solidarity, the DPA states. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)