HMS Richmond in the Mediterranean with new legal powers. The full European force
(B2) the british ship HMS Richmond (F-239) has just joined the European operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med / Sophia to fight against migrant smugglers. This type 23 frigate, 133 meters long, and with a crew of 181 people was integrated last Friday (October 23). She joins the ship hydrographic HMS Enterprise " which continues its activity “says the British staff.
A Frontex agent on board
A FRONTEX liaison officer will also be on board HMS Richmond to " advising the crew on legal matters, including the identification, collection and preservation of evidence that could be used in criminal proceedings Italian, adds the press release from the British general staff. A presence that is not entirely insignificant since the United Kingdom does not participate in the activity of the Frontex agency (1).
We will hit the traffickers hard
For the United Kingdom, this arrival occurs in a new legal context. The adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution empowers the Commanding Officer (of HMS Richmond) to carry out enforcement action on the high seas, including the boarding and seizure of vessels suspected of involvement in migrant smuggling " A " milestone for the Minister of Defence, Michael Fallon. " We will now be able to board the boats and arrest the traffickers. We are going to hit the traffickers hard. »
A smoother approach for the Slovenian vessel in the area
The Slovenian patrol boat SNS Triglav 11 also joined the operation on the same day. We are here in another template. Arrived in Augusta in Sicily on October 19, this ship is 49,5 meters long with a crew of 37 people and is used mainly for surveillance of ports and national coasts. It has a support team of 5 people on the port. Slovenia has also dispatched 3 soldiers to the command HQ in Rome, 4 others to the floating HQ in Cavour and 2 to Role 2 (field hospital). The Slovenian Chief of Staff, General Andrej Osterman, was less offensive than the British Minister. He placed more emphasis in his farewell speech to the Slovenian contingent on the aspect " humanitarian "of the mission that requires" a gentle approach ».
The full European force
With the arrival of the Belgian ship, Leopold I, of the French frigate Courbet, and the relief started by the Germans (Read: The Berlin again in the Mediterranean), the European force in the Mediterranean is now complete (read: What are the means of Operation Sophia (EUNAVFOR Med) in its phase 2?) at least for the next few days, before the weather gets tougher. And, of course, minimize the number of daily passes.
(NGV)
(1) L.he United Kingdom benefits from an opt-out from the asylum and migration policy. And, as part of the referendum campaign on remaining in the European Union, the British government is campaigning instead for a limitation of the powers of the EU in terms of the free movement of people and the common migration policy. A proof of British pragmatism...
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