The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, explained to the new Libyan Prime Minister, Abdulhamid al-Dabaiba, on Wednesday 24 March, that the EU was ready to step-up its cooperation with the new government, and to provide support in accordance with its needs and priorities.
Borrell “proposed to work together on areas where the EU could provide expertise and added value such as institution building, economic governance, preparation for the national elections in December 2021 (...) as well as through the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission EUBAM Libya and Operation EUNAVFOR MED Irini”, according to a European External Action Service statement. The previous government was reluctant on the matter of Irini (see EUROPE 12610/23).
Borrell and al-Dabaiba agreed to plan mutual visits and to coordinate and cooperate closely, including through the EU delegation to Libya, whose presence in Tripoli the EU intends to increase in the near future, situation permitting, the EEAS adds.
The heads of the French, Italian and German diplomatic corps went to Tripoli on Thursday 25 March to meet the new Prime Minister, their counterpart Najla el-Mangoush and the UN special envoy Jan Kubis. The purpose of the visit is to show the support of the three countries for the new government. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)