About: Operation Sophia
EU to deploy new military mission to enforce Libya arms embargo
EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday (17 February), after Austria lifted its veto, to deploy a combined aerial and naval mission, with a terrestrial component, and enforce a porous UN arms embargo in and around war-torn Libya.
Austria and Germany: A harmonious couple, at odds on EU issues
Austria's Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday (3 February). While the atmosphere was harmonious, the two did not meet eye-to-eye on several EU issues, including the budget and proposals to revive Operation Sophia. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU to use revamped ‘Operation Sophia’ to enforce Libyan arms embargo
EU foreign minister decided on Monday (20 January) to revive a maritime surveillance mission in the Mediterranean to enforce a potential cease-fire in Libya and a UN arms embargo against the country’s warring parties. Meanwhile, the bloc is scrambling to...
Von der Leyen fails to convince that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’
New European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was put on the spot during her visit to Zagreb on Friday (10 January). Asked how she would prove that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’, given the EU's weak response to growing challenges in the region, von der Leyen failed to provide convincing answers.
A European ‘Mare Nostrum’ instead of Operation Sophia 2.0
An EU mission within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy is not the adequate instrument for controversial domestic issues such as migration, writes Tobias Pietz.
Defence ministers discussed artificial intelligence, killer robots, climate threat
EU defence ministers discussed artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons – also called “killer robots” –, hybrid threats and conflicts stemming from climate change, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini told the press after an informal Council meeting in Helsinki on Thursday (29 August).
Rights groups lambast Operation Sophia – the EU naval mission without ships
International rights advocates criticised the European Union on Wednesday (27 March) for abdicating its humanitarian responsibilities after the bloc agreed to withdraw ships patrolling the Mediterranean for migrants attempting the perilous voyage. After much wrangling, the EU agreed this week...
EU to end ship patrols in scaled down Operation Sophia
The European Union will cease the maritime patrols that have rescued thousands of migrants making the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing from North Africa to Europe, but it will extend air missions, two diplomats said on Tuesday (26 March).
Italy to push EU for reform of ‘Operation Sophia’
Rome will today (30 August) ask the European Union to rotate the ports where migrants rescued at sea disembark, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta said, with France and Spain expected to top the list.
Italy to keep accepting stricken migrants during EU talks
Italy agreed on Monday (23 July) to continue accepting migrants rescued at sea, at least until a broader EU strategy to address fair distribution of people can be defined.
EU to step up training of Libya coastguards on migrant patrols
The European Union wants to rapidly expand training of Libyan coastguards to stem migrant flows to Italy and reduce deaths at sea, an EU naval mission said on Thursday (15 March.
EU naval mission granted more time and objectives
The European Council on Tuesday (25 July) extended the EU’s naval mission in the Mediterranean, despite concerns that Operation Sophia has not been effective in breaking up people-smuggling networks.
UK parliament says ‘Sophia’ saves lives, but has not stopped migrant smuggling
The European Union's Mediterranean naval force has failed to stop migrants from making the perilous sea journey to Europe and should not continue operating in its current form, British lawmakers said on Wednesday (12 July).
Ireland seeks approval to join EU naval mission
Ireland will on Tuesday (11 July) decide whether to join the European Union’s Mediterranean naval mission, Operation Sophia.
EU considers increased support to help Libya tackle people smugglers
The EU could soon step up training and equipping Libya's coast guard to crack down on migrant smuggling in the North African nation's waters, according to an EU proposal seen by AFP on Saturday (21 January).
NGOs’ responsibility questioned as Italy refugee arrivals surge
Speaking ahead of the EU summit tomorrow (15 December), which will, among other things, address the issue of migration, a diplomat questioned the role of NGOs near the Libyan coast which, in his view, contribute to the increase of refugees arriving in Italy.
EU training Libyan coast guard to curb refugee flows
The European Union has begun training the Libyan coast guard as part of efforts to curb the growing influx of irregular migrants from North Africa, EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said Thursday (27 October).
Migrant deaths at sea signal Egypt becoming departure country
A boat carrying up to 450 migrants capsized in the Mediterranean off Egypt's north coast on yesterday (21 September), drowning 42 people and prompting a search operation that rescued 163 passengers, officials said.
UN authorises EU operation against Libya arms smuggling
The UN Security Council on Tuesday (14 June) approved an EU operation to intercept ships suspected of arms smuggling to Libya, moving to shore up Tripoli's unity government as it battles the Islamic State group.
EU willing to pay ‘almost any cost’ to stop refugees
Amnesty International has accused the EU of indirectly supporting attacks on refugees by Libyan security forces because of the bloc's cooperation with the country's authorities. EURACTIV Germany reports.
UN mulls allowing EU to search boats for illicit arms off Libya
The European Union yesterday (6 June) proposed expanding a United Nations Security Council mandate for a European naval operation to allow it to crack down on arms smuggling in the high seas off war-torn Libya, though Russia voiced concerns about the idea.
EU to train Libyan coast guard to fight refugee smuggling
The European Union agreed yesterday (23 May) to broaden the mandate of its naval mission to combat refugee smuggling off Libya by agreeing to train the Libyan coast guard and navy.
UN proposal would ask EU ships to enforce Libya arms embargo
France and Britain are preparing a UN resolution that would authorize EU ships in the Mediterranean to intercept vessels suspected of carrying weapons to Libya, diplomats said Monday (16 May).