Green light for civilian mission to support border security in Libya

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium - The Council today established a civilian EU integrated border management assistance mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya). It will support capacity building for enhancing the security of Libya's land, sea and air borders and is expected to gradually start deploying in June.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton, commented: "EUBAM Libya is an important mission for Libya and the entire region, but also for the security of EU borders. The mission responds to a direct request from our Libyan partners and I'm pleased to say that it can now be deployed in June."

Today's decision is the result of thorough discussions between the EU and the Libyan authorities regarding the country's needs and priorities on how to improve the management and security of the 4,348 km of Libyan land borders together with the 1,770 km of Libyan coastline. The needs assessment on integrated border management which the EU undertook in 2012 helped define the scope and activities of the mission.

EUBAM is to support Libyan authorities in developing capacity for enhancing border security in the short term. European experts will also assist the Libyans in developing a sustainable integrated border management strategy in the longer term, including the necessary structures, in line with the priorities agreed with the Libyan authorities.