Connect with us

EU

#OperationIrini – EU agrees to new operation off the coast of Libya to enforce UN arms embargo 

SHARE:

Published

6 years ago

on

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

EU High Representative Josep Borrel

The EU’s High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrel announced that the Council (EU foreign ministers) agreed to support Operation Irini to enforce the United Nations arms embargo, stopping the flow of arms to Libya and contributing to a sustainable ceasefire. 

Irini, (Greek for "peace"), will use aerial, satellite and maritime assets to detect and carry out inspections of vessels off the coast of Libya suspected of carrying arms or related material to and from Libya. The action comes under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and is a military operation in the interest of promoting peace in the EU’s immediate neighbourhood through a permanent ceasefire. 

Operation Sophia will cease its activities. Sophia focused on the organized crime focused on migrant trafficking. Irini will also contribute to the disruption of ‘the business model’ of human traffickers and helping the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy develop their capacity. Like Sophia it will also monitor the ilicit exports from Libya of petroleum, crude oil and refined petroleum products. 

The mandate of Operation Irini will initially last until 31 March 2021, and will be under the close scrutiny of EU Member States. 

Background 

Participants at the Berlin Conference on Libya on 19 January 2020 committed to fully respect and implement the arms embargo established by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1970 (2011), 2292 (2016) and 2473 (2019). 

Advertisement

Against this background, the Council reached a political agreement to launch a new operation in the Mediterranean, aimed at implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya by using aerial, satellite and maritime assets on 17 February 2020. 

EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA was launched on 22 June 2015 as part of the EU's comprehensive approach to migration, and will cease permanently on 31 March. 

Share this article:

Share this:
Related Topics:
EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter. Please see EU Reporter’s full Terms and Conditions of publication for more information EU Reporter embraces artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance journalistic quality, efficiency, and accessibility, while maintaining strict human editorial oversight, ethical standards, and transparency in all AI-assisted content. Please see EU Reporter’s full A.I. Policy for more information.
Advertisement

Trending