The EU-Mediterranean mission "Sophia" should be extended because of a dispute to a redistribution of refugees only three months. An EU Diplomat confirmed media reports that the EU ambassadors agreed on the Political and Security Committee (PSC) in Brussels on an extension of the Mission until the end of March 2019. Background concerns of Italy, the extension of the Mission agreed to only three months hence.
The political decision for the extension of the Mandate was taken on Friday in the PSC, said the EU Diplomat. A working group for external relations, I then gave on Monday the green light for the three-month extension.
Until next Friday, the decision had to be confirmed by the governments of the EU countries in writing. It should be assumed consent, said the EU Diplomat. He pointed out that Italy have the inside true Minister and Vice-Prime Minister Matteo Salvini of the three-month extension to Italian media reports.
The Mission is on the Brink
The current mandate of the Mission runs off the coast of Libya on 31. December. The Mission is due to the dispute with Italy to the refugee distribution in the balance: The government in Rome, calls that of the "Sophia" rescued refugees will no longer be brought automatically to Italy. The use would have to be changed rules. Europe's defence Ministers could not agree at the end of November on an extension of the marine deployment.
daily mirror tomorrow location for Free orderthe Newspapers of The Funke media group reported that the Italian government had abandoned its opposition to an extension under the previous rules. Rome relied to a Change in the rules and on a fixed key to the distribution of boat refugees to all EU States free to make its consent to the use of extension the way for further negotiations.
The "world" - quoted from the conclusions of the Political and Security Committee, a Delegation, have expressed "disappointment" about that, "that no sustainable solution has been found". It is believed that the Italian Delegation.
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The naval mission EU NavForMed "Sophia" in June 2015, with ships, planes and helicopters in the Mediterranean sea between Italy and Libya. The main task is gangs action against Tractors, the refugees to Europe. In addition, Sophia is supposed to "prevent" weapons and oil smuggling, and the Libyan coast guard. The Mission of the Bundeswehr is also involved, has rescued since its founding, in addition to around 45,000 refugees. (AFP)