Operation Sophia

Council extends the mandate of Operation IRINI until 2023

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Second Libyan Civil War, Peace, Common Security and Defence Policy, Operation Atalanta, Arms embargo, Political and Security Committee, Operation Irini, Operation Sophia

The Council today extended the mandate of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI - until 31 March 2023.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today extended the mandate of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI - until 31 March 2023.
  • The decision was taken in the wake of the Strategic Review of the operation carried out by the Political and Security Committee.
  • In this context, the Council has defined more precisely the practical arrangements for the disposal of items seized by the operation when implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya.
  • IRINI is led by Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini as EU Operation Commander, and its headquarters are located in Rome, Italy.

Operation IRINI: Council appoints new Force Commanders

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 29, 2020
European Union, European migrant crisis, In Italy, Operation Sophia, Operation Atalanta, Common Security and Defence Policy

The Council today decided to appoint as EU Force Commander for the EU military naval operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) Rear Admiral Ettore Socci from Italy, from 6 May 2020 until 18 October 2020.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today decided to appoint as EU Force Commander for the EU military naval operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) Rear Admiral Ettore Socci from Italy, from 6 May 2020 until 18 October 2020.
  • Rear Admiral Socci was the Force Commander of Operation SOPHIA since June 2019.
  • Background

    On 31 March 2020 the Council launched Operation IRINI with the primary purpose of enforcing the UN arms embargo in Libya, and appointed Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini from Italy as its Operation Commander.

  • The EU Force Commander acts under the authority of the Operation Commander.