The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, underlined on Wednesday 8 September, during a visit to Tripoli, his ambition to strengthen EU support for Libya in many areas (see EUROPE 12686/31).
“As Libya’s neighbour, the EU hopes to become its partner for peace and stabilisation in the interest of all Libyans”, he stressed at a press conference with Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush.
Welcoming the progress made by the country in one year - the establishment of a ceasefire, unified political institutions and a roadmap for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held on 24 December 2021 - the High Representative said it was time to implement and consolidate this progress (see EUROPE 12749/14).
According to him, there is no time to lose to adopt the necessary legislation for these elections and to start the necessary preparations. “The EU has already given technical support to the High National Electoral Commission and we are ready to do more”, Mr Borrell said.
The High Representative recalled the EU’s support for the 5+5 Joint Military Committee’s objectives of cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of foreign forces from the country (see EUROPE 12748/36), disbanding of armed groups and creation of reunified military institutions.
“The EU stands ready to help the Libyan government in the reform of the security sector, including through our European Union Border Assistance Mission already present in Tripoli”, the High Representative explained (see EUROPE 12689/11). While recalling that the EU is already helping to build barracks in which officers from all parts of Libya will live together and is supporting the Joint Police Force on the coastal road that connects the east and west of the country, he said the EU was ready to do more.
Mr Borrell also discussed with his Libyan interlocutors how to strengthen cooperation with the IRINI naval operation (see EUROPE 12771/12, 12610/23). So far, the Libyan government has not given its consent for IRINI to resume training its coastguards.
The High Representative also called for a longer-term commitment from the EU. “We are ready to put in place an extensive capacity-building programme to help Libya strengthen its institutions, at central and local level if requested”, he said.
Furthermore, he announced that the EU is ready, when conditions allow, to start negotiations leading to an association agreement so that Libya can benefit from the same programmes and support as other countries of the Southern Mediterranean do in the framework of the EU’s Neighbourhood policy.
Lastly, supporting a stabilisation conference to be organised by the Libyan government, Mr Borrell said the EU would be very happy to participate and lend its support. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)