The EU ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, reaffirmed on Saturday that strengthening Libya’s naval capabilities is a core priority within the growing partnership between Libya and the EU.
This effort is part of a broader European strategy to support the unification of Libya’s military institutions through professional standards, operational readiness, and unified procedures.
Orlando made the statement following the successful completion of a specialized training course by 30 Libyan naval personnel from Tripoli and Benghazi. The course, conducted under the framework of Operation IRINI, marks the first of its kind and reflects the EU’s commitment to building a capable and unified Libyan navy.
In a message posted on his official X account, Orlando congratulated the trainees and described the achievement as a major milestone in EU Libya cooperation. He thanked the Republic of Italy and the Italian Navy Training Center in Taranto for hosting and facilitating the program.
The ambassador emphasized that the training contributes to broader European efforts aimed at aligning Libyan maritime operations with international standards and maritime law. He added that the EU will continue offering further training courses in the coming months under Operation IRINI. These programs will focus on boosting operational effectiveness, professionalism, and institutional capacity in Libya’s maritime sector.
Launched in 2020, Operation IRINI was originally tasked with monitoring the arms embargo on Libya as mandated by the United Nations. Over time, the mission’s scope expanded to include training and capacity building for Libyan security forces, particularly in maritime domains. It also supports efforts to combat arms smuggling and illegal oil exports.
