The Council of the European Union on Thursday extended the mandate of the planning mission EUBAM Libya until 21 August 2017. It also approved its budget of €17 million for the period from 22 August 2016 to 21 August 2017.
EUBAM Libya is a civilian mission under the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and designed to support Libyan authorities in improving and developing the security of the country’s borders.
EUBAM’s function is to to plan for a possible future EU mission providing advice and capacity-building in the area of criminal justice, migration, border security and counter-terrorism. It also supports Libya’s transition to democracy, stable and prosperous future.
According to a statement published on the European Council web site, “any future civilian mission in Libya would seek in particular to address law enforcement aspects of irregular migration, smuggling of migrants and trafficking of human beings while promoting longer term efforts on security sector reform, including governance.”
The civilian planning capacity co-operates closely with, and contributes to, the efforts of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.
In February 2016 the EU amended the mandate of its integrated border management assistance mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya) to focus on civilian planning activities.
The mission is currently located in Tunis and has established contact with the relevant Libyan authorities. The mission’s budget approved by the decision provides for the activities and staff in Tunis as well as for the possibility to deploy to Libya as soon as the security situation allows.
