In mid-May, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, proposed strengthening the EUBAM Libya mission, according to a document seen by EUROPE.
The short-term aim of this EU CSDP mission is to help the Libyan authorities build the capacity needed to improve security at their land, sea and air borders and, in the longer term, to define a broader strategy for integrated border management.
During the strategic review of the mission, the Ambassadors of the Member States to the EU meeting within the Political and Security Committee (PSC) agreed that EUBAM Libya, whose mandate runs until 30 June 2023, should be extended for a further 2 years, until 30 June 2025, and that it should, during this period, contribute to strengthening the capacity of the relevant Libyan authorities and agencies to manage Libya’s borders, combat cross-border crime, including trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants, and to fight terrorism, the document states.
The EU High Representative therefore proposes that the mission should support the Libyan authorities and agencies responsible for border management, “in particular by facilitating intra-agency and international cooperation as guiding principles for integrated border management” and those involved in combating cross-border crime, including trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants, and terrorism, in accordance with international standards in these areas.
Another objective would be to facilitate and support the cooperation and interoperability of Libyan authorities and agencies in order to help them mitigate any gaps or overlaps in border management and the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism.
Finally, the mission should provide specific needs assessments and develop related projects to support its operational activities.
To achieve this, EUBAM Libya should provide technical advice, capacity-building activities at operational and technical levels and projects, supplemented, where appropriate and on a case-by-case basis, by specialist training, according to the High Representative. It should also provide strategic advice at the request of the Libyan authorities.
A strategic review of the mission and its mandate should take place by 30 June 2024 at the latest. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)