11/06/2020 (Agence Europe) – The spokesman for the European External Action Service, Peter Stano, announced on Thursday 11 June that Operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini, which has been operational at sea since the beginning of May (see EUROPE 12482/23), had already made more than 75 hailings with ships on the high seas. The day before, a cargo ship refused this hailing. According to the Greek media Ekhatimerini, this ship was accompanied by Turkish frigates. “Operation Irini tried to hail a cargo ship following usual procedures. The response was not affirmative so the hailing could not proceed. We are now in the process of verification of information and reasons given for this behaviour”, explained Mr Stano, adding that hailing could only be made with the agreement of the vessel concerned. (CG)