EU leaders are expected to use their discussion on the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood on Friday, 11 December (see EUROPE 12619/3), to go over Libya’s particular situation.
According to draft conclusions dated 9 December, the European Council is expected to call on all actors to act in accordance with the principles of the Berlin Process. During the Berlin Conference on 19 January 2020, the international community had notably called for a ceasefire, compliance with the arms embargo, a political process, and security, economic, and financial reforms.
In their conclusions, the leaders also reiterate the EU’s offer to “support the Libyan Coast Guard through training and monitoring as well as the provision of equipment and vessels, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law”.
Coast guard training—provided for in Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI’s mandate—is currently suspended due to the Libyan government’s reluctance to support the EU maritime operation. According to IRINI’s commander, Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini, resolving certain questions on the provision of equipment to the Libyan Coast Guard could make it possible to make progress towards resuming training (see EUROPE 12610/23). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)