On Thursday, Commander of the EU’s Operation IRINI, Admiral Fabio Agostini said that the aerial and sea surveillance mission off the coast of Libya remains ongoing, in order to maintain the stability and security of the central Mediterranean.
In a virtual seminar on the new geopolitical challenges in the Mediterranean, Agostini said that the operation’s main task is to implement the UN arms embargo in Libya, combat the illicit oil trade and human smuggling, and provide training for the Libyan Coast Guard.
The Commander pointed out that the future of Europe is based on the success of the EU-led operation to maintain stability in the Mediterranean region, stressing the need to keep IRINI’s mission effective and impartial. He explained that IRINI is part of the political process that paved the way for the political, military, economic and humanitarian tracks to end the crisis in Libya.
Last month, the European Council decided to extend the mandate of the operation until 31 March 2023. The decision was taken in the wake of the Strategic Review of the operation carried out by the Council’s Political and Security Committee.