The European Union's Foreign Affairs Council has announced the establishment of an EU naval operation to disrupt the business model of human smugglers in the Mediterranean.
The new operation, called EUNAVFOR Med, is one element of the comprehensive EU response to the migration challenge.
EUNAVFOR Med will be conducted in sequential phases and in accordance with the requirements of international law.
Planning of the operation and the initial phase of surveillance and assessment of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Southern Central Mediterranean will be conducted as soon as possible.
The second and third phases of the operation would work to search, seize and disrupt the assets of smugglers, based on international law and in partnership with Libyan authorities.
(Source: EU)
