European Union Foreign and Defense ministers are today expected to approve a mission to destroy the boats used by people-smugglers operating in war-torn Libya.
At a meeting, which will take place in Brussels, the ministers will also discuss the mission’s command-and-control structure.
The move is part of the EU’s response to the vast number of illegal migrants from Africa and the Middle East crossing the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.
More than 1,800 migrants have died in the Mediterranean in 2015, a 20-fold increase on the same period in 2014.
Speaking on arrival, Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief said, “today the main point will be taking the decision to establish the operation, the EU operation at sea to dismantle the criminal networks that are smuggling people in the Mediterranean.”
Mogherini added that, “We are looking for partnership with all the relevant Libyan authorities.”
The EU mission should be formally established on Monday with its headquarters in Italy – but there is no agreed start date yet.
WhatsApp us