On Monday, December 10, the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the European Union supported the revised Action Plan of the UN Special Representative for Libya, Ghassan Salamé.
"The EU and its Member States will give their full support to the revised Action Plan and actively support its three strands: political, economic and security", they announced.
Faced with the “urgent need” to overcome the political impasse, the Council calls on Libyan actors to "cooperate constructively with the Government of National Accord in order to achieve the objectives agreed on in Palermo" on 12 and 13 November (see EUROPE 12137). In particular, it highlights the holding of the national conference in Libya in early 2019, progress on the constitutional and legislative framework and the possibility of completing the constitutional and electoral processes by next spring. The EU is committed to helping Libyans prepare for the elections by supporting the High National Electoral Commission, the ministers recalled, and also expressed their readiness to consider further measures against those who undermine the political process or threaten the country's stability.
For the Council, it is “essential to effectively address security challenges [...] to protect Libyan sovereign institutions and move forward in the political transition process”. It therefore calls on all parties to continue to fully implement the new security arrangements and to establish a regular army and police forces. Libyans must conclude an inclusive agreement on the unification of the armed forces under civilian control - urges the Council, which states that the EU will continue to assist them in reinforcing institutions in charge of security.
The Council also calls for the urgent implementation of structural reforms in the monetary and fiscal areas, economic reforms and measures to fight corruption. It calls for the quick reunification of national institutions, including the Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation.
Lastly, according to the ministers, the EU will continue to assist Libyans in addressing migration challenges. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)