On Wednesday, Italian senators belonging to the Five-Star Movement and serving on the Defense and Foreign Affairs Committees welcomed the launch of the European Union’s “Operation IRINI”. Under Italian leadership, the latter is a new Common Security and Defence Policy military operation in the Mediterranean Sea to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.
“Thanks to the decisive diplomatic action carried out by Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio, Italy ensures the success of this process this time, unlike what had happened during Operation SOFIA. Migrants rescued during the process will not be disembarking at Italian ports. ” according to a statement by the Five-Star movement quoted by the Italian news outlet “Agenzia Nova”.
The Italian senators wished good luck to operation commander Admiral Fabio Agostini and to all the men and women of the Navy and Air Force who will participate in the mission.
The European Union adopted a decision launching Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI as of 1 April 2020. IRINI is Greek for “peace”. The mission’s core task will be the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets.