The EU’s military operation in the Mediterranean, EUNAVFORMed Irini, was officially extended on Tuesday 27 July from 1 August to 30 November 2021.
While the EU Council decided on 26 March 2021 to extend the operation until 31 March 2023, this extension needs to be confirmed every four months, linked to migration issues, to ensure that the operation does not create a stack effect (see EUROPE 12452/22).
In a written reply to seven Greens/EFA MEPs dated 19 July, the European External Action Service (EEAS) explained that Irini had detected “eight situations falling under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)” in the Libyan search and rescue area in 2020. Since 21 July 2020, Irini’s naval assets have not received any distress calls, the EEAS said.
In addition, since its launch on 31 March 2020 and as of 19 July, the operation has investigated 3,622 vessels, conducted 161 friendly approaches and carried out 17 boardings/inspections on suspect vessels. Irini also recommended 34 inspections of suspect ships in EU Member States’ ports, of which 27 were carried out. It also monitored 533 suspicious flights, 25 airports (and airstrips) and 16 ports (and oil terminals). The operation sent 23 special reports to the United Nations.
Two ships and six aircraft are currently deployed for the operation. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)