The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, argued, on Tuesday 11 February, for the return of the maritime component of the EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia.
The mandate of the operation, whose naval assets have been suspended since the end of March 2019, is currently being revised, while Europeans wish to emphasise its mandate to monitor compliance with the arms embargo (see EUROPE 12414/11). This mandate could change significantly, according to a European source. Discussions between the ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee are continuing, with the aim of reaching an agreement by the Foreign Affairs Council on 17 February.
"If we want to monitor arms trafficking in the Mediterranean, the maritime component is vital", he told the press in Strasbourg. On 2 February, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz had opposed a return of the ships, considering it to be a trick to relaunch the "Sophia" rescue mission (see EUROPE 12417/17).
Mr Borrell openly disagreed with Mr Kurz, who had described the mission as a "ticket to Europe" for thousands of illegal migrants. "Austria is a country that expresses strong concern about a possible 'call effect' (sic), the only thing I can say is that in 2016-2018, Operation Sophia has not produced that effect", explained the High Representative. "We can see very clearly that from 2016 onwards, the number of migrants rose a little more, then fell enormously", he added, without wanting to make a direct link between the operation and this fall.
According to Frontex, the number of illegal arrivals from the Central Mediterranean was 153,895 in 2015, 181,459 in 2016, 118,912 in 2017 and 23,276 in 2018. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)