28/07/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 28 July, the EU officially extended authorisation for Operation EUNAVFOR Med Irini for another four months, from 31 July to 30 November 2020. When the mission was set up, Member States agreed that it should be confirmed again every four months. The expectation was that the Political and Security Committee would extend the operation’s mandate unless documented evidence gathered in accordance with the criteria set out in the operation plan proved that the operation’s deployment of maritime assets appeared to be acting as a magnet for migrants (see EUROPE 12452/22, 12450/21). The operation’s mandate runs until 31 March 2021. (CG)