The training of the Libyan coast guard: in the hands of the Turks? Bad signal for Europeans
(B2) It is a European flagship project, training and equipping the Libyan coast guard and navy, which is in danger of falling through. The Turks took possession of it with drums and trumpets. In Brussels as in Rome, the case is being followed closely. The answers we received prove it.
A formation started by the Turks
Part of the agreement the Turks reached with the Libyan government of Al-Sarraj (recognized by the international community), the training of the Libyan Navy and Coast Guard has apparently started according to the Turkish Ministry of Defense. He has indeed trumpeted it several times on his twitter account for a few days.
« Through coordination with local elements, Coast Guard training began to be provided to Libyan soldiers “, he said on October 20.
The SAS trainings were also given to Libyan soldiers at the Joint Naval Training Center in Homs, he added on October 21. Training given « under the military training, cooperation and advisory agreement ».
Cold shower for Europeans
For Europeans, and Italians in particular, this announcement is a bit of a cold shower in more ways than one. On the one hand, they have invested a lot of time and money to recreate the Libyan Coast Guard, to support it, to train it and to equip it. 46,3 million in 2017-2018 had been released by the European Commission to support a program led by the Italians (read: European support for the Libyan coast guard? Point). This does not include feasibility studies and other support.
An investment of time and money
On the other hand, a major effort has been made to equip the Libyan coastguard, and support the rise in power of the rescue and rescue zone (SAR) and the Libyan MRCC (the sea rescue coordination center). . A dozen speedboats have thus been supplied (with European aid) to Tripoli. These same stars who are used today by the Turks to train the Libyans. Training was also provided. The EU maritime operation (EUNAVFOR Med Sophia) alone has trained more than 400 coastguards (read: 78 Libyan coastguards and sailors trained in Italy). A point " important for the Europeans, as confirmed to B2, the spokesperson for the High Representative Peter Stano (questioned during the midday briefing on Friday 23.10). " European Union cooperation with the Libyan Coast Guard is important to us. »
Cooperation with the coast guard stopped
But, for several months, the Libyans have been beating the Europeans. As we indicated in July, the training of the Libyan coast guard has been stopped, since the arrival of Operation Irini. A point never really formalized. But that the spokesperson for the European Commission, questioned by B2 on Friday (23.10), confirmed. In effect, " we did not start within the framework of Operation Irini because [...] the Libyan partners are not ready to continue this cooperation for logistical and operational issues. “Without further details.
Turks must respect international law says Brussels
As for the Turkish activity, at the European level, we remain a little embarrassed at the corners. The European Commission did not want to comment on these photos or the question of the financing of the coastguards. It is a simple reminder of the rules that has been indicated. " The bilateral activities of our partners with the Libyan Coast Guard but we must always respect international law »
A strategic question for Italy
The Italian press commented bitterly on this position: “ a slap for Italy “says the website ilussidiario.net. And the Republic concludes his article with this sentence from Atatürk: Soldiers, your first objective is the Mediterranean. Forward! ". Suffice to say that in Rome, where the subject of the Libyan coast guard is considered a strategic issue, attention is high. " We will certainly ask the Italian government to understand how things are going and if the conditions exist for the continuation of our military training mission of the Libyan Coast Guard “, Confirmed Gianluca Rizzo, the president of the defense committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies (camera), member of the 5 Star Movement (which is part of the ruling coalition).
Comment: a new means of pressure available to the Turks
Caution on the com', reason on the merits
We must always be careful with this kind of public communication which seems above all to be staged (a few soldiers only in the photos released by the Turkish ministry, taking a break rather than being trained). But there are two basic elements that exist: 1) cooperation between Turks and Libyans at the maritime level is part of the sealed agreements. 2) Cooperation between the Libyan Coast Guard and the Europeans was suspended almost simultaneously.
A political objective
This cooperation is not just a coincidence or a military objective for the Turks. It has a very political objective. The risk now is to see the Turks using the Libyan coastguard as a new tap (or lock) for immigration to Europe, according to its will. A not insignificant 'hybrid' threat which Ankara has subtly used to put pressure on the Europeans in order to avoid any too strong measures. Two of the three main streams of immigration (East and Center of the Mediterranean) would thus be directly or indirectly under Turkish control.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
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