The European Union is ready to help implement the ceasefire in Libya.
Last updated on February 22nd, 2023 at 06:02 am
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas confirmed, during his speech at the International Security Conference in Munich, that the European Union is ready to provide assistance in implementing the ceasefire in Libya, “according to the request of the United Nations.”
Maas added that the European Union countries will consider next Monday contributing to the implementation of the arms embargo to Libya.
Maas also confirmed that the foreign ministers of the countries participating in the “Berlin Track on Libya” will meet next Sunday in Munich.
Maas stressed the necessity of “Europe not abandoning its role in the crises of Syria, Libya and the Sahel, in favor of arms exporters.” In this context, Maas considered that extremists on the African coast threaten the security of Europe.
It is noteworthy that European officials confirmed to “France Press” that Austria is blocking the resumption of the maritime operation of the European Union, which is charged with monitoring the ban on sending weapons to Libya.
A European official, who asked not to be identified, acknowledged that contacts at the highest level were being held to settle this issue, but it has not produced any results so far.
A meeting of the Union’s foreign ministers will be held in Brussels in this regard on Monday.
Another diplomat said about the new goal entrusted to the European Union mission named “Sofia”, that “the Austrians continue to refuse to deploy ships and confirm that they are receiving support from the Hungarians.”
The Austrian Prime Minister Sebastian Kurtz told a German newspaper early February that the process “will not happen”. He added, “The Sofia operation has always been a rescue mission and has become an entry point for thousands of illegal immigrants to Europe.”
Austria and Hungary have consistently refused to take part in sponsoring the migrants the Sofia mission is saving under relief efforts at sea. The two countries also object to solidarity within the European Union for the redistribution of migrants.
European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell proposed a revised operational zone for the activities of European ships mandated to monitor the United Nations arms embargo on Libya. These operations are supposed to take place at sea, outside the roads of drug traffickers.
But the Austrians reject these arguments, according to sources, “Agence France Presse,” which stated that “in this position, Austria permits leaving the sea to others and does not help calm the crisis in Libya.” You can find more Geopolitics News and Updates link us.
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