Answer given by Vice-President Mogherini on behalf of the Commission
1.6.2017
The Joint Communication of 25 January 2017[1] proposes operational actions to address the situation along the Central Mediterranean route.
These do not include a proposal for a naval blockade off the Libyan coast.
The communication proposes the following actions, with border management addressed as part of a comprehensive approach. These actions are in line with international law, notably with the fundamental rights and the principle of non-refoulement prohibiting the forced return of refugees or asylum-seekers to a country in which they are in risk of persecution:
- —Reduce the number of crossings via expanding the training programmes for the Libyan Coast Guard (Sophia, Seahorse Programme), and assisting the Libyan authorities including by providing additional patrolling assets;
- —Step up the fight against smugglers and traffickers, via the Seahorse Mediterranean Network and encouraging the participation of Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt;
- —Increase resettlement and promote assisted voluntary returns from Libya;
- —Enhance the management of migrant flows through the southern Libya border, via expanding cooperation with southern neighbours, notably Niger;
- —Mobilise EUR 200 million for the North Africa Window of the EU Task Force for Africa (EUR 90 million for Libya approved in April 2017).
- [1] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN-IT/TXT/?qid=1495620366426&uri=CELEX:52017JC0004&from=EN