EUNAVFOR MED OPERATION SOPHIA - The Libyan deputy Prime Minister Fathi Al-Majbiri visits EUNAVFOR MED Operational Headquarters - Operation Sophia

With these words, Rear Admiral (UH) Enrico Credendino , EUNAVFOR MED Operation Commander welcomed this morning the Libyan deputy Prime Minister H.E. Fathi Al-Majbiri and his delegation, accompanied by H.E. Ahmed E.I. Safar, Libyan Ambassador to Italy and H.E. Ambassador Natalya Apostolova, Head of EU Delegation to Libya.

The visit paved the way for the first meeting of the committee of experts composed by EUNAVFOR MED and Libyan Coast Guard and Navy personnel, involved in the initial preparatory stage of the training task recently assigned to Operation Sophia. Last 20 June, the European Council reinforced the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED by adding two supporting tasks: the training of, and the information sharing with, the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy, and the contribution to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2292.

EUNAVFOR MED is part of the EU’s wider, comprehensive approach to migration. Since it reached its full operational capability on July the 27^th 2015, it has been on the forefront of Europe’s response to the refugee and migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. It aims at fighting traffickers and smugglers’ networks, as well as addressing emergency situations in the Central Mediterranean.

Thus far, following EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia ’s activities, 72 suspected smugglers and traffickers have been apprehended and transferred to the Italian authorities and 194 boats have been prevented from being re-used by smugglers. Furthermore, more than 19.200 lives were saved at sea by EUNAVFOR MED’s assets during 117 rescue events coordinated by the competent Italian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.