The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, hoped, on Tuesday 12 May, that Malta would “within the next few days” lift its objections to the financing of Operation Irini (see EUROPE 12484/5).
“I understand the concerns of Malta”, which is facing strong migratory pressure, “but I do not think that the solution is to make Operation Irini difficult”, he explained at the end of the video conference of European Defence Ministers.
The High Representative recalled that Irini was designed to help stop the fighting and stabilise Libya by monitoring compliance with the arms embargo and that this stabilisation was a condition for controlling the flow of migrants in the Central Mediterranean. “The best way to meet the challenge for Malta is to stabilise Libya and that depends on Irini, among many other things”, he added.
Mr Borrell said that he was trying to mobilise all the capacities of the Commission and the Member States that could be involved to help Valletta cope with the influx of migrants.
Asked about Prime Minister Fayez el-Sarraj's criticism that Operation Irini favoured his rival, Marshal Khalifa Haftar (see EUROPE 12483/29), the High Representative explained that he had met with the Libyan authorities in recent days to explain that the mission was “directed against no one”.
Earlier in the day, in a statement on behalf of the EU (see other news), Mr Borrell reiterated that the EU remained committed to full compliance with the arms embargo on Libya, including via Irini. He added that every effort should be made “to ensure the full and effective implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions (on compliance with the arms embargo), also through the land and air borders with Libya”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)