Operation Sophia has played a decisive role in improving the overall maritime security in the Central Mediterranean. The Operation has so far contributed to the apprehension of 151 suspected smugglers and traffickers, removed approximately 550 boats from criminal organisations availability, contributed to over 300 Safety of Life at Sea events and rescued almost 45,000 migrants.
The UN migration agency (IOM) has been compiling migrant arrival data across the Mediterranean since 2014 and has reported that the number of migrants arriving by sea has continued to drop and the numbers arriving in 2018 were the lowest since the crisis began.
Operation Sophia specifically seeks to counter human trafficking and smuggling in the Southern Central Mediterranean by taking action against the criminal networks and disrupting the smugglers business model. By improving maritime security Operation Sophia is actively contributing to EU and international efforts for the return of stability in Libya.
It is important to note that this mission is only one part of the EU response to addressing the causes and not just the symptoms of the crisis. Irish troops are contributing to the EU's efforts as part of EUTM Mali and Ireland participates in CSDP civilian missions in the Sahel region - EUCAF Sahel Niger and EUCAP Sahel Mali as well as to EUBAM Libya. All of these are CSDP missions supported by a UN mandate.
I am deeply troubled by the grave and on-going abuses perpetrated against migrants and refugees in Libya. Instability and lawlessness in Libya is also a major cause for concern. That lawlessness and instability lies at the heart of the migrant crisis and the insecurity and dreadful conditions the migrants face both in transit through Africa and in Libya. These problems can only be solved by the Libyan national authorities in taking control of their borders and their territorial waters, restoring law and order, and countering the activities of criminals and people smugglers operating out of Libya.
EU Member States agreed in December 2018 to extend the mandate for Operation Sophia for a period of three months (a technical roll-over). This was to provide time for a solution to be found in relation to the disembarkation of migrants rescued under this mission. Further discussions took place last week at EU level in relation to renewing the mandate beyond the 31st March 2019.
As no solution on the issue of the disembarkation of rescued migrants has been found, a decision was adopted on 29th March to extend the mandate of Operation Sophia for 6 months with a temporary suspension of its naval assets while Member States continue working on a solution related to disembarkation.
The Operation mandate will continue to be implemented through strengthening surveillance by air assets as well as reinforcing training support to the Libyan Coastguard and Navy. Member States have also highlighted the importance of continuing to work closely with the Libyan authorities and international organisations to improve the protection of refugees and migrants in Libya.
Given these developments, it is difficult to speculate at this time if we will deploy a naval vessel to a future Sophia operation as we would need to see the mission mandate and the role the Naval Service might be able to play in that regard.
