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EU: European External Action Service Strategic Review on EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia, EUBAM Libya & EU Liaison and Planning Cell

27 August 2018

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European External Action Service
Strategic Review on EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia, EUBAM Libya & EU Liaison and Planning Cell
27.8.18
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The European External Action Service has produced a: Strategic Review on EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia, EUBAM Libya & EU Liaison and Planning Cell (LIMITE doc no: 11471-18, 98 pages, pdf) for discussion in the Political and Security Committee:

"1.he existing mandates of EUNAVFOR Med Op Sophia (Op Sophia) and EUBAM Libya will expire on 31 December 2018. A decision on their mandates and on the future of the EU Liaison and Planning Cell (EULPC) needs to be taken in light of the findings of this review and the broader political and security situation in Libya, the Central Mediterranean and the surrounding region.

2. This review considers the extent of CSDP engagement in Libya from a holistic viewpoint, taking into account the need for a coordinated and integrated approach within the broader framework of EU efforts in the region." [emphasis added throughout]

Concerning Libya

"3. The review points out that the political and security situation in Libya remains challenging. The overall situation has not improved much from that reported in the last strategic review despite increased international efforts to consolidate earlier gains. (...) "

12. In terms of delivering overall effect, the review stresses the need to continue the fight against criminal networks involved in illicit activities (including human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, arms and oil) and terrorism which are visible and acute symptoms of the instability in Libya and the region. In this regard, continued focus on information-sharing and cooperation between CSDP activities and Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) actors is recommended."

Overall situation in Libya and the Central Mediterranean
Political and economic situation

20. The political situation in Libya remains unstable and has not improved despite increased international and regional efforts. UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) Ghassan Salamé launched the UN Action Plan for Libya on 20 September 2017 in New York proposing to amend the LPA, adopt the Constitution in a referendum, organise a National Conference and hold elections by 2018. However, political rivalries, competing institutions and individual ambitions are hampering the Action Plan's implementation."

“Crime Information Cell (CIC)”.

45. To optimise the collection and sharing of information and hence counter migrant smuggling, human trafficking, trafficking of firearms and trafficking of oil exports from Libya, the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council of 8-9 March 2018 endorsed the general principle of the participation of European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (EBCGA, Frontex) in a pilot project for a “Crime Information Cell (CIC)”. The CIC was launched as a pilot project on 5 July and is hosted by Op Sophia (embarkation on board of ENFM Flagship of CIC personnel, including the CIC coordinator, FRONTEX, EUROPOL and ENFM representatives) for the next 6 months. The CIC will facilitate timely and two-way information exchange for analytical and operational use between Op Sophia and the relevant JHA agencies without creating new entities or changing their legal framework."

Libyan coast guard

"78. Since the launch of training as an additional task in September 2016, Op Sophia has been able to train more than 213 personnel of the Libyan coast guard and navy both at sea and in Member States facilities. It is planned that an additional 100 personnel will have completed training by the end of 2018 thus allowing the manning of additional vessels being provided to Libya by the Italian Authorities. It is assessed by the IOM that more than 10,000 migrants have already been rescued by the LNCG since the beginning of 2018."

Background

Restricted document highlights plans for ongoing EU interventions in Libya (Statewatch)

Documents: Operation Sophia anti-migrant smuggling mission to host "crime information cell" pilot project (Statewatch)

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