The Council of the European Union has extended the mandate of the European military mission in the Mediterranean, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, until 31 March 2023. The mandate of IRINI remains unchanged. The new resolution specifies the procedure in the event of the hijacking of a ship suspected of trafficking in arms to and from Libya.
Since its creation, on March 31, 2020, the command of the Operation has been assigned to Italy, in the person of Admiral Fabio Agostini. The headquarters of the Operation is inside the IOC, Joint Operational Command, in Rome Centocelle.
Italian contribution
The Italian contribution to the Operation has always been important. Currently Italy has assigned the ITS ship to the mission Borsini and a drone (UAV), as well as several associated support assets.
From next April XNUMXst, the Navy will also supply the ITS ship to the Operation St. George, with the role of flagship, in addition to the commander of the Sea Force, Rear Admiral Stefano Frumento.
The results of the operation
In one year of activity, Operation IRINI has investigated over 2300 ships and monitored about 200 suspicious flights, carrying out a hundred consensual visits on board merchant vessels (the so-called “friendly approach”), 9 inspections, 1 hijacking. In addition, the operation constantly controls 25 airports, 16 ports and oil terminals.
Overall, the Operation produced 22 reports for the UN Group of Experts for Libya regarding suspected or alleged violations of the arms embargo or related to illegal oil trafficking.
The Statement of the Operation Commander
“The extension of the mandate confirms the will of the European Union to keep the commitments made in the Berlin conference on Libya - says the commander of Operation IRINI, Admiral Fabio Agostini - With the creation of the new Libyan government of national unity, the peace process is on a good path. Irini has done and will continue to do its part to implement the arms embargo on Libya, thus contributing to stabilization and peace in the region ".
