EU NEIGHBOURS . On 3 and 4 August Operation Commander EUNAVFOR MED, Admiral Fabio Agostini, visited Irini’s Forward Logistic Base (FLB) in Augusta and Forward Logistic Site (FLS) in Sigonella, Italy.
During the two days visit, he met the Force Headquarters’ Staff, the flagship’s – ITS San Giorgio – crew and the Luxembourg and Polish air detachments.
In such occasions, he attended the Medal Parade ceremony for those that have served for a long period in Operation IRINI.
42 officers, petty officers and enlisted, coming from six different European Union Member States, have received the medal as recognition of their committed and professional contribution provided during their assignment to EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
“Despite Operation Irini was born in full Covid-19 pandemic and it has started its activities at sea only on May 4”, said Admiral Agostini, “it has already produced some significant results in terms of collection of information and deterrence effect both in the arms embargo and in the oil smuggling sectors and it has proved to be impartial and balanced when appropriate assets are available. Operation IRINI is not against anybody or any country but it has the task to implement the UNSCRs arms embargo throughout the whole Area of Operation regardless the actors involved.”
Operation Irini (named after the Greek goddess for “peace”) was planned in a very short timeframe and launched on 31 March 2020, following a decision by the Council of the European Union. The main task is the implementation of the arms embargo on Libya under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The Operation also has secondary tasks including monitoring illegal oil trafficking from Libya, contributing to countering human trafficking and smuggling activities (through air monitoring) and contributing to the training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy.