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51-849: A European Maritime Force operation to combat people smuggling and prevent loss of life in the Mediterranean stemmed from discussions in the European Council on 20 and 23 April 2015, culminating in the issuing of a Council decision on 18 May 2015 to establish a "European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean". Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino of the Italian Navy was appointed as operation commander. The Political and Security Committee appointed Italian Rear-Admiral Andrea Gueglio as force commander on 17 June 2015, and on 22 June 2015

102-543: A 12 months period. In addition, military assets and personnel were provided by the contributing states with the running costs and personnel costs being met on a national basis. By 2016, more than 13,000 migrants had been rescued from the sea in the course of the operation. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the European Union extended Operation Sophia's mandate reinforcing it by adding two supporting tasks: training of

153-717: A French warship from the NATO Operation Sea Guardian as they tried to inspect Çirkin and that the Turkish Navy was using their NATO call signs while accompanying Turkish vessels suspected of breaking the UN arms embargo on Libya. According to French officials, when the French ship tried to inspect the vessel, the Turkish vessel switched off its tracking system, masked its ID number and refused to say where she

204-508: A House of Lords report claimed that the mission had been a failure, as it had managed neither to reduce deaths at sea or disrupt the smuggling network. In January 2019, the mission was reduced. In February 2020 a new mission was planned to replace the previous one. On 31 March 2020 the new operation EUNAVFOR MED Operation Irini was launched. In parallel, Operation Sophia permanently ceased its activities. European Maritime Force The European Maritime Force ( EUROMARFOR or EMF )

255-542: Is a non- standing , military force with the current participation of France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The force may carry out naval , air and amphibious operations, with an activation time of 5 days after an order is received. The force was formed in 1995 to fulfill missions defined in the Petersberg Declaration , such as sea control , humanitarian missions, peacekeeping operations, crisis response operations, and peace enforcement . The EMF

306-782: Is presently not established at the EU level (referred to as the Common Security and Defence Policy , CSDP); it is for instance not a project of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) of the CSDP. The EMF may, however, contribute in the implementation of the CSDP when made available as a multinational force in accordance with article 42.3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). The force can also be deployed for other international organizations, such as NATO ,

357-648: The Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya objected to the operation on the ground that it would affect the supply of arms from Turkey. In May 2020, Malta pulled out of Operation Irini and threatened to veto EU funds for the operation, in a move that could have impacted on the Turkish–Libyan agreement . Malta complained to the European Commission that it does not give enough support to Malta on

408-524: The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy , Federica Mogherini , views this operation as a fundamental contribution to fighting instability in the region and as a way to reduce the loss of lives at sea and increase the security of citizens of the European Union . Operation Sophia consisted of three phases: There was a common budget of 11.82 million euros for

459-575: The Tanzanian -flagged cargo vessel Çirkin which was suspected of carrying arms to Libya, but was ordered to retreat after warnings from Turkish frigates accompanying the cargo vessel. According to sources, the Turkish commander's message was that "the Turkish ship is under the protection of the Turkish Republic." EU confirmed that Turkey blocked the check on the ship. Later, on 17 June 2020, France also accused Turkish ships of harassing

510-718: The United Nations , or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe . In June 1992, the Petersberg tasks were set out, defining which potential missions that could be assumed by the Western European Union in the new post- Cold War situation. Consequently, the identification of forces needed to carry out such missions was required. The following September a ministerial meeting between

561-615: The EMF Nations' cohesion and their commitment to fight together with the international community against terrorism. During this period, by the participation in RWO but also through a demanding program of co-operational exercises with the countries of the south Mediterranean Sea, the visibility and the international recognition of EMF were increased significantly. EMF participated also in Operation UNIFIL between 2008 and 2009, under

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612-660: The European Council approved the launching of EUNAVFOR Med, to take effect that day. On 24 August 2015, a pregnant Somali woman rescued from a refugee boat by HMS  Enterprise gave birth to a child aboard the Schleswig-Holstein , the first to ever be born aboard a ship of the German Navy. At the suggestion of the attending medical personnel, the child was named Sophia. This was a name associated with German naval ships named Schleswig-Holstein , as

663-513: The GNA have issued a joint statement expressing reservations about the IRINI. In early June 2020, Russia was the only Security Council member which raised concerns about renewing authorization for the operation, which was due to expire on 10 June. In June and July 2020, Turkey criticized the operation as being "not objective" and claimed that the operation is supporting Khalifa Haftar . In June of

714-675: The Irini commanders asked for the inspection of the Turkish-flagged vessel MV Matilde A , which was heading to Libya, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2292 on the arms embargo on Libya, but Turkey refused again. Same month, Irini found and seized military vehicles in the merchant vessel MV MEERDIJK coming from the United Arab Emirates and heading to Libya. In the October 2022 report on Operation Irini, it

765-533: The Libyan city of Benghazi . Soldiers from the frigate boarded the Turkish freighter in order to search it but had to abandon checks and withdraw after Turkey protested. According to the German spokesman, Hamburg had followed standard procedure by waiting four hours for approval from the flag country, and then boarding. Later, once the objection arrived, they withdrew. The German defense ministry spokesman said that "By

816-535: The Libyan coastguards and navy, and contributing to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya. The length of the Operation could be continuously renewed by the Council. On 25 July 2017, the Council of the European Union again extended Operation Sophia's mandate, while also amending its mandate to: setting up a monitoring mechanism of trainees to ensure the long-term efficiency of

867-645: The Nation's Naval General Staffs mainly to advise the POLMIL WG on specific Naval issues and to express the single National Naval Staff's view on specific issues of own competence and co-ordinate positions and actions to be taken. At the operational level of the chain of command, there is the Commander of the European Maritime Force (CEMF or COMEUROMARFOR), who is designated every two years among

918-660: The National Naval Authorities (NNAs) entities namely: The CEMF relies both on his own existing National Staff and the EMF Permanent Cell (EMFPC) for the accomplishment of the assigned duties. The EMF is composed by Director who is an Officer of the same nationality as the CEMF and four representatives (Commanders or Lieutenant Commanders), one from each EMF Nation. Additionally, since November 2001 one Officer from Greece and one from Turkey joined

969-578: The Operation Irini, after a German frigate, participating in the operation, tried to search a Turkish-flagged freighter near Libya. In addition, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation ex officio for the incident. Furthermore, Turkey has denied the inspection of suspect Turkish vessels on many occasions (see the "Incidents" section below). In May 2020, a French warship participating in

1020-456: The Turkish vessel had long been watched on suspicion of making illegal arms shipments. In addition, Der Spiegel reported that Operation Irini's military analysts, in a report for United Nations, had previously spotted arms being unloaded in the Libyan port of Misrata in satellite images. Furthermore, EU report's authors said that suspicious cargo was again sighted in November while the ship

1071-559: The UN arms embargo. The vessel was suspected, since it had been identified by UN Panel of Experts of transferring military equipment in Libya before under the name MV Luccello and the flag of the Comoros. In addition, Irini commanders asked the permission from Turkey to inspect another ship called MV Parpali , but Turkey rejected it. Irini commanders wrote on a statement that all UN members are called by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to cooperate with inspections. In October 2022,

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1122-654: The activities related to the development and external relations of the Force and ensures the implementation of the CIMIN decisions. The POLMIL WG also appoints a Staff of the EMF countries to act as CIMIN Secretariat, for the conduct of its daily activities and to act as the permanent interlocutor of the CEMF. Under the POLMIL WG is the EUROMARFOR Sub working group (EMF SWG). EMF SWG is composed by representatives from each one of

1173-777: The aegis of the United Nations. During this activation, the EMF at sea Commander acted as CTF 448. Once again EMF demonstrated its flexibility and its capability of acting under the aegis of a different organization. This was a historical milestone not only for EMF, but even for the UN, because it was the first UN direct operation. An activation of EMF, in order to participate in the EU's Operation Atalanta in Indian Ocean, took place in December 2011. This activation lasted for 20 months and ended in August 2013. In December 2013,

1224-428: The assigned units and gets their operational control as required. The High Level Inter-Ministerial Committee (CIMIN) is at the top level of EMF organization. The body is composed by Chiefs of Defence (CHOD), Political Head Directorates of Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministries and credited representatives of participating nations. The CIMIN ensures the politico-military direction of the participating countries establishes

1275-515: The conditions for the employment of the force and issues directives to COMEUROMARFOR. CIMIN meetings are convoked when necessary, at the request of any of the member states. The Politico-Military Working Group (POLMIL WG) is the executive body of CIMIN. The POLMIL WG is composed by the representatives from the CHOD's and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the member countries. It takes care of all

1326-460: The earlier destroyer Schleswig-Holstein had used the radio call sign "Sophie X". This was itself a reference to the early battleship SMS  Schleswig-Holstein , which had been dedicated to Princess Louise Sophie of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg , as have later ships of the name. EUNAVFORMED was subsequently renamed "Operation Sophia", after the baby born aboard Schleswig-Holstein . I will suggest to Member States that we change

1377-479: The force commander every six months (together with the rotation of the flagship). The primary mission of the operation is to ensure the implementation of the UN arms embargo. Other missions include the training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Libyan Navy , the disruption of human trafficking and halt the illicit exports of Libyan oil. The former Operation Sophia permanently ceased its activity at

1428-657: The force reactivated for participating in the same operation once again. From its foundation, EMF, has been activated for a total period of 62 months for participation in RWOs. The EMF is a non-standing force, and its composition, drawing on participating states' navies, varies depending on the nature of each mission. The size of EMF may range from a small Task Group to a large Task Force including carrier and amphibious groups, escorts and support vessels. Additionally, maritime patrol aircraft, mine countermeasure units, submarines or other types of naval units could be employed, depending on

1479-537: The force was made with exercise EOLO 96 in April 1996, In 2001, officers from Greece and Turkey, respectively, integrated as observers in the Permanent Cell, highlighting the willingness of these countries to become full members. A number of operations and exercises were undertaken in the following years. The first was Operation Coherent Behaviour in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 2002. During this operation, EMF

1530-542: The governments of Spain, Portugal, France and Italy resolved their willingness to create an international maritime force. This led to the signing of the constitutive document of the European Maritime Force in Lisbon on 15 May 1995. The force came into existence on 2 October 1995, with the appointment of the Spanish Admiral Acedo Manteola (then Alflot) as its first commander. The first activation of

1581-577: The incident, saying that Operation Irini is a biased mission that targets Turkey and the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya. European Union in an official statement said that the Operation Irini gave five hours notice to Turkey (four hours in line with the international maritime practice plus a one hour extension at the request of the Turkish Embassy in Rome , where Operation Irini's headquarters are located). After

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1632-521: The incident. NATO carried out three-week investigation into the incident, producing a 130-page report published on 1 July. The report did not include a "statement supporting the French claims that Turkish warships harassed the French warship by locking its radar on it". The report of NATO's investigation was never released publicly. Diplomats told Reuters that the investigation was too sensitive to discuss in public and does not apportion blame, adding that NATO wanted to keep Turkey onside and for this there

1683-404: The issue of migration, the EU responded that "The Irini operation was conceived to stop the fighting in Libya and political stabilisation is a precondition to stop the migrant wave. So to stop the migration push, we need to politically stabilise Libya, and this depends on [Irini]," while Turkey has said that it will provide concrete and effective assistance to Malta. In addition, Malta, Turkey and

1734-539: The joint command of the EU. The UK's House of Lords has noted in a report that claims this kind of search-and-rescue operation acts as a ‘magnet to migrants and eases the task of smugglers, who would only need their vessels to reach the high seas’ had some validity. Also the Libyan coastguard has warned that the EU's "Operation Sophia" boosts migrant smuggling, explaining that "People, when they get rescued, call their friends to tell them that there are EU vessels only 20 miles from Libyan waters to save them." In July 2017,

1785-399: The mission and its related tasks. From the moment when the member nations take the decision to intervene in a crisis by employing the EMF, the CIMIN directs COMEUROMARFOR to activate the force. After consultation with the CIMIN, CEMF and national authorities, participating nations define the volume and nature of their involvement. Subsequently, they assign units to EMF. COMEUROMARFOR assembles

1836-544: The name of our Operation: instead of calling it EUNAVFOR MED, I suggest we use the name: Sophia. To honour the lives of the people we are saving, the lives of people we want to protect, and to pass the message to the world that fighting the smugglers and the criminal networks is a way of protecting human life. The operation aims to undertake systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose of vessels as well as enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. The Juncker Commission , in particular

1887-587: The operation intercepted the Gabon -flagged oil tanker Jal Laxmi off the coast of Tobruk and stopped it from docking at the city. The vessel had not received authorization from the Tripoli -based Libyan National Oil Corporation. Following the event, Russia raised concerns regarding the operation's authorization. On 10 June 2020, the Greek frigate Spetsai under the command of the Irini operation attempted to inspect

1938-478: The operation sent 14 special reports to UN Panel of Experts concerning from both sides of the conflict in Libya, performed 12 visits on collaborative merchant vessels and monitored 10 ports and landing points, 25 airports and landing strips. In addition, it made 250 requests for satellite images to the EU Satellite Centre. Headquarters of the operation are in Rome , Italy. Italy and Greece alternate

1989-549: The permanent cell as observers. The EMF is presently not established at the EU level (referred to as the Common Security and Defence Policy , CSDP); it is for instance not a project of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) of the CSDP. The EMF may however contribute in the implementation of the CSDP, when made available as a multinational force in accordance with article 42.3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Operation Irini The European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation Irini (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI)

2040-2256: The same time of the launch of Irini. The initial mandate of Operation Irini lasted until 31 March 2021. On 17 March 2021, the EU extended the operation for two more years, until the end of March 2023., and after until the end of March 2025. [REDACTED]   France : D'Estienne d'Orves -class aviso Premier-Maître L'Her [REDACTED]   Greece : Elli -class frigate Aigaion - flagship [REDACTED]   Italy : Comandanti-class patrol vessel Comandante Borsini [REDACTED]   France : Atlantique 2 [REDACTED]   France : Falcon 50 from July 2020 [REDACTED]   Germany : P-3C Orion from May 2020 [REDACTED]   Greece : EMB-145H from July 2020 [REDACTED]   Italy : Predator B from July 2020 [REDACTED]   Luxembourg : Swearingen Merlin from 4 May 2020 [REDACTED]   Poland : An-28B1R Bryza from May 2020 [REDACTED]   France : Cassard -class frigate Jean Bart from 4 May 2020, left 1 June 2020 [REDACTED]   France : Georges Leygues -class frigate Latouche-Tréville from 7 October 2020 [REDACTED]   Germany : Sachsen -class frigate Hamburg from 18 August 2020 to 14 December 2020. [REDACTED]   Germany : Type 212 submarine U-35 from 12 June 2021 to 14 December 2021. [REDACTED]   Greece : Hydra -class frigate Spetsai from 4 June 2020, left 17 August 2020 [REDACTED]   Greece : Elli -class frigate Adrias [REDACTED]   Greece : Elli -class frigate Limnos from 17 September 2020 [REDACTED]   Italy : San Giorgio -class amphibious transport dock San Giorgio - from 17 July 2020 to 7 September 2020 [REDACTED]   Italy : Bergamini -class frigate Carlo Margottini - from 7 September 2020 [REDACTED]   Italy : Comandanti-class patrol vessel Comandante Cigala Fulgosi [REDACTED]   Portugal : Tridente -class submarine NRP  Tridente - from 24 June 2021 to 20 August 2021 [REDACTED]   Greece : Hydra -class frigate Hydra expected May 2020, but not deployed In April 2020,

2091-482: The same year, European diplomats and officials stated that Turkey was blocking EU attempts to secure NATO 's help for the operation. In addition, in August 2020, Turkey criticized Germany for its participation in the operation, after Germany decided to send a frigate in August. In November 2020, the Turkey’s National Security Council said that Turkey will take necessary steps in every field against

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2142-565: The ship. In addition, the statement reminded that the Irini operation is in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions 2292 (2016) and 2526 (2020) and that the UN Security Council resolution 2292 (2016) calls upon all flag states to cooperate with inspections. These resolutions are binding for all UN member states, including Turkey. A secret EU report cited by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur , indicated that

2193-408: The time elapsed and no answer has received from Turkey, the soldiers boarded the ship and started the inspection in accordance with internationally agreed procedures including NATO procedures. Later, when Turkey formally and with delay notified of its refusal to grant the permission for inspection, the search operation terminated and the soldiers left the ship. Until then, nothing suspicious has found on

2244-413: The time the soldiers left the ship, they had not found anything suspicious." Turkey said that the search team had violated international law by not waiting for permission from Turkey, adding that the ship was carrying various materials such as food and paint. Furthermore, Turkey summoned the envoys of the European Union, Germany and Italy to Ankara in order to protest against the operation. Turkey condemned

2295-550: The training of the Libyan Coastguard, conducting new surveillance activities and gather information on illegal trafficking of oil exports from Libya in accordance with UNSCR 2146 and 2362; and enhancing the possibilities for sharing information on human trafficking with member states' law enforcement agencies, FRONTEX and EUROPOL. Military contributions from member states to the operation were voluntary at their own expense. However military operations were carried out under

2346-508: The vessel and that it is Russian operated. In September 2021, an Irini report revealed that Turkey refused the inspection of Turkish ships heading to Libya six times. In May 2022, Turkey refused to accept the inspection of the Turkish-flagged vessel MV Kosovak which headed to the port of Misrata in Libya. In July 2022, Irini inspected the Equatorial Guinea-flagged vessel MV Victory Roro and found that it breached

2397-436: Was docked in the Turkish port of Ambarli . Turkish prosecutors launched an investigation into the incident on 27 November 2020, which was not expected to lead to arrests or the extradition of officials involved in the search. In July 2021, Irini's forces intercepted a Zambian-flagged vessel called MV Gauja for being suspected of transporting illegal arms from Morocco to Libya. The Zambian government said that it does not own

2448-454: Was going, while the Turkish frigates flashed their radar lights three times against the French warship, suggesting a missile strike was imminent. On the other hand, Turkish officials, denied that the warship was harassed and claimed that the French warship did not establish communications with the Turkish vessel during the incident and provided fuel for the Turkish vessel. At a request of France, NATO stated on 18 June that it would investigate

2499-740: Was in close cooperation with NATO in the frame of Operation Active Endeavor. This was the first autonomous operation in the history of the force, and was carried out based on a mandate given by the participating nations. Upon the completion of this first participation in RWO (Real World Operation), another challenge was taken up by EMF and the force activated to take part in a new RWO. Thus, in 2003, EMF took part in Operation Resolute Behaviour in Indian Ocean in support of an international coalition's Operation Enduring Freedom and gradually embedded into it between 2003 and 2005. The participation of EMF in an operation like this, demonstrated

2550-559: Was launched on 31 March 2020 with the primary mission to enforce the United Nations arms embargo to Libya due to the Second Libyan Civil War . Operation Irini is a European Union military operation under the umbrella of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The operation is expected to use aerial, maritime and satellite assets. In September 2020, the Irini operation stated that within six months,

2601-518: Was no willingness to point a finger. On 21 September 2020, the EU sanctioned the Turkish maritime company Avrasya Shipping which operated the freighter Çirkin , because the vessel was found to have violated the arms embargo in Libya in May and June 2020. On 22 November 2020, the German frigate Hamburg , which participated in the operation, intercepted the Turkish 16,000-tonne freighter, Rosalina-A (or Rosaline-A ), about 200 km (120 mi) north of

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