EU naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea will board, search and seize smuggling vessels in international waters.
Photo by Loukas Mastis/EPA
On October 7, the European Union launched “Operation Sophia”. It allows EU naval forces to board, search and seize smuggling vessels in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, confirmed this.
“Operation Sophia” is the second phase of the EU attempt to crack down on smugglers coming primarily from Libya.
The second phase of the operation could be followed by a third phase inside Libyan territorial waters.
This will require the approval of the U.N. Security Council or the Libyan government. According to Mogherini, the EU representatives have been working on a legal framework for this since last month.
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