Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, Carmelo Abela, visited the Spanish navy frigate ‘Reina Sophia’, berthed at Boiler Wharf in Senglea to allow its crew to rest during the vessel’s participation in the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean operation (EUNAVFOR Med - Operation Sophia). Operation Sophia undertakes systematic efforts to identify, capture and dispose vessels and enabling assets used by migrant smugglers and traffickers in the Central Mediterranean.
The minister visited the vessel following an invitation extended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Malta, José Maria Pons Irazazábal. He was welcomed by Commander Carlos Posada Novoa, who briefed him about the ship’s role in the EU mission and and showed him around the areas of interest on board.
In view of Malta’s proximity and direct interaction with EUNAVFOR MED, Minister Abela expressed his appreciation for the ongoing good work of this operation to address challenges concerning the interdiction of vessels used for migrant smuggling or human trafficking on the high seas off the coast of Libya. Pointing out that following the steady progress of the operation, it has now moved to the subsequent phases where greater effect on the smuggling networks can be achieved, the Minister said that the additional tasks entrusted to the operation – such as evacuation and enforcing the arms embargo – are an important demonstration of the vital role played by the EU and its Member States in countering the challenges in this area.
Minister Abela said that this political backing has to come hand-in-hand with the assurance that sufficient resources are made available to EUNAVFOR MED in order to enable it to achieve its objectives. “Malta believes that EUNAVFOR MED, together with FRONTEX operations, has had a significant effect on reducing the deaths of migrants in the Central Mediterranean. Although not the main task of the operation, such contribution is commendable,” he said. “EUNAVFOR MED has been able to deny freedom of action to smugglers on the high seas and has managed to bring to justice a number of them.”
He added that strengthening the Libyan Coastguard is a potential quick deliverable that the EU can offer to Libya as it works to ensure stability across our neighbouring country. Having a reliable partner operating in the Libyan territorial waters would increase the effectiveness of the fight against human smugglers and would provide a possibility for increased local ownership, thus giving more legitimacy to the nascent Government of National Accord and bringing EUNAVFOR MED closer to attaining its exit strategy.
“Malta stands ready to assist Libyan coastguards through training in dedicated centres in Malta as well as financially to the best extent possible within its means and abilities,” the Minister said. “At the same time, Malta continues to stress that the migration flows in the central Mediterranean region are not just an issue for the southernmost EU Member States, but a European issue that must be tackled in the same way that the EU deals with challenges on its other borders, and with the same resolve.”
Minister Abela was accompanied by the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brig. Jeffrey Curmi, and by the Ministry’s Chief of Staff, Anthony Vella-Gregory.