On 30 August 2016, the Political and Security Committee authorised EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia to begin two additional supporting tasks: training of the Libyan coastguard and navy and contributing to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya.
Training of the Libyan coastguard and navy:
The legitimate Libyan authorities requested support in capacity building and training of their coastguard and navy. The objective is to enhance their capability to disrupt smuggling and trafficking in Libya and to perform search and rescue activities which will save lives and improve security in the Libyan territorial waters. This task will be financed through voluntary contributions from some EU member states managed by the Athena mechanism.
Countering illegal arms trafficking:
On the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2292 (2016), the operation will contribute to information sharing and support the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya. This will increase the overall level of awareness of the maritime situation and limit arms flows to Da'esh and other terrorist groups.
EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia has been active in International waters since June 2015. Its core mandate is to disrupt the business model of human traffickers and smugglers in the Central Mediterranean.
(Source: EU Neighbourhood Info)
