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Eubam Libya on track. Formalized next week… (Maj)

(BRUSSELS2) It took more than two years after the start of the Western offensive in Libya for the European Union to finally launch a border assistance mission (EUBAM Libya). If this mission had been ardently requested by certain countries, it had aroused the reluctance of several others (United Kingdom in particular) considering in particular that the Libyan government was not consolidated. The official position of the EEAS had rallied to this last position. Finally the political evolution in Libya (the constitution of a government) but also the security evolution with the increase of the terrorist threat around this country (attack of In Amenas in Algeria, jihadist and Tuareg offensive in Mali in particular ) convinced the most reluctant of the need to complete this mission quickly.

The decision framing this mission has been ready for several weeks (as readers who are members of the Club already know, EUBAM Libya, the draft decision is ready. Details). The budget is adopted and the head of mission appointed. All that is missing, in fact, to formally adopt this text and thus allow the deployment of the mission is a "part" outside the European system: an Ok from Westminster. We are indeed awaiting the opinion of the British parliamentary committee on European issues. The decision would then be ready for adoption next week.

According to our information, the mission will have a short-term objective: “ help the Libyan authorities build the necessary capacity to improve security at Libya's land, sea and air borders and a longer term goal: define a broader integrated border management strategy ". The mission will be commanded by a Finn, Antti Hartikainen, and a Briton should be his deputy. It should start in June for a period of 24 months. With a budget of 30,3 million euros, it will have approximately 165 staff: 83 staff seconded by the Member States, 27 international contractors and 54 local contractors (+ the head of mission).

(Updated Wednesday 22 May) The decision is expected to be adopted by written procedure on Wednesday 22 May.

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Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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