Operation IRINI Commander, Admiral Fabio Agostini said on Thursday that the extension of the mission represents “a recognition of our effective and impartial work in implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”
Agostini’s speech came during the inauguration ceremony of the new force commander for the operation’s air assets and naval ships, Italian Naval Admiral Stefano Frumento to succeed the Greek Command.
“Operation IRINI has just concluded its first year of activity,” Agostini said. “The European Council extended its mandate for another two years. This confirms the will of the European Union to maintain the commitments made at the Berlin Conference on Libya, and to recognize our effective and impartial work in implementing UN Security Council resolutions.”
Last Saturday, the European Council decided to extend the mandate of the European Union (EU) Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean – European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation (EUNAVFOR) MED IRINI – until the 31st of March 2023.