'Ite missa est' for Operation Sophia?
(B2) Has mass been said for the future of Operation Sophia? Listening to Dimitris Avramopoulos, the European Commissioner for Migration, we are not far from the end... even if he still defends its usefulness. And this pessimism is not contradicted by the facts of which B2 is aware
The Commissioner for Migration (of Greek nationality) spoke to the press on Wednesday (23 January) midday to report on the college meeting (European Commission). In 2015, he was one of the first (with Federica Mogherini) to defend the usefulness of the European Union's maritime operation to fight against trafficking in the Mediterranean (alias EUNAVFOR Med or Sophia). Today, the future looks bleak.
Have faith in the operation
« The faith in the operation is intact assured the commissioner. " Operation Sophia is a success. Thanks to this operation, we have seen the number of smugglers decrease. We could thus discourage people from making the journey in a dangerous way in the Mediterranean. " And " in my opinion, this operation will have to continue”. NB: a point of view, officially shared by the Ministers of Defense of the Union.
A German blow
The German withdrawal from the operation (read: Germany withdraws from Operation Sophia) is a blow. But the commissioner doesn't let it show. " The withdrawal of the German ship [the frigate Augsburg] was scheduled for February. Germany continues to participate in the operation. Nothing says that a ship will not be made available in the future. »
If Italy wants to stop, it's up to her to decide
On the future of the operation, Dimitris Avramopoulos is more furtive. That " depends on the Member States. It's up to them to make the decision in the end. ". And to admit: If Italy, which is in charge of the operation, decides to stop the operation, it is its decision (1). It is clear, it is frank, and it is the reality.
Is the end of the operation inevitable?
A highly political issue
In practice, everyone knows, " there is a problem, well known, which has nothing to do with the operation as a European diplomat reminded B2. It is a question of having a global agreement on the migration package (the Dublin mechanism), the distribution of asylum seekers in the countries, and possibly having a mechanism for the temporary distribution of refugees and migrants disembarked from the boats. " Contacts are ongoing between Member States we were assured.
No possible solution before March?
In fact, time is running out. The operation has been extended until March 31. And, for the moment, the point is neither on the agenda of the informal meeting of the Ministers of Defense or Foreign Affairs (at the end of January in Bucharest) nor of the ambassadors of the Political and Security Committee. The question is highly political. Must wait ... " the european summit in march confides to me a good connoisseur of the file. " We will then see if the Heads of State and Government "are able to" find a solution ».
A challenge in the electoral maelstrom
The bets are open. But in the corridors, it is difficult to find an optimist. " In recent months, despite all efforts, it has been impossible to find a solution continues our source. The renewal in December of the operation just for three months was done with forceps (read: The Christmas present of the 28. Operation Sophia extended by three months). And " unless there is a major change, I don't see what could change the situation ". On the contrary, the longer we delay, the closer we get to the election deadline. The more difficult it is likely to be ».
Farewell Sophia?
In a few weeks, and even more so in March, we will be in the midst of an electoral maelstrom. In this context, for Matteo Salvini and other Italian officials, halting Operation Sophia seems like a godsend. One can at the same time criticize the operation as a facilitator of the entry of migrants (NB: which is false), flatter oneself of having forced the Europeans to lower their flag and shout a little national croaking (2). So easy that it would be silly to deprive yourself of it.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde, with Leonor Hubaut)
- Enzo Moavero Milanesi, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, saw fit to react: “ Italy never asked for the closure of Sophia. [We have] called for a modification of the rules relating to the disembarkation of people rescued at sea, in strict and appropriate coherence with the conclusions of the European Council of June 2018. The agreements of April 2015 provide that they are always disembarked in Italy, while the European Council last June urged EU countries to fully share all the burdens related to migrants »
- Even if Italian boats go back to work under the green, white, red banner
Read also: Does Rome want to kill Operation Sophia? Paris secretly nods