Feiten over EU grensversterkingsmissie (EUBAM) in Libië (en)

Common Security and Defence Policy

EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in Libya

The Council of the European Union gave on 22 May the green light for EUBAM Libya, a new mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) to support the Libyan authorities in improving and developing the security of the country's borders. This civilian mission responds to an invitation by Libya and is part of the EU's comprehensive approach, a strategy to support the Libyan post-conflict reconstruction

Planned activities

The strategic objective of EUBAM Libya is to support the Libyan authorities to develop capacity for enhancing the security of their land, sea and air borders in the short term, and to develop a broader Integrated Border Management (IBM) strategy in the long term. These efforts will contribute to state-consolidation, economic development, and the fight against organised crime and terrorism in the country and the wider region

EUBAM Libya will not carry out any executive functions. The mission is to achieve its objectives mainly through the transfer of know-how, not funds. In practice, the work will be carried out through training and mentoring the Libyan authorities in strengthening the border services in accordance with international standards and best practices, and by advising the Libyan authorities on the development of a national IBM strategy

EUBAM Libya's initial mandate is two years and its headquarters will be in Tripoli although its work will benefit all the country's borders. The annual budget of the mission will be around €30 million. When operating at full capacity, the mission will have just over 100 international staff. A core team has been on the ground and carrying our preparatory work for the mission in close co-ordination with the Libyan authorities since mid-April 2013. The mission will deploy gradually taking due account of the political and security situation as well as the local needs

The concept for the mission has been developed in consultation with the Libyan government to ensure that it meets their needs and fits into their wider security sector reform process

EU's comprehensive approach to Libya

The CSDP mission is launched within the context of the EU's comprehensive approach to supporting Libyan post-conflict reconstruction. Over the last two years the EU delivered on its commitment to continuously support the Libyan people in their transition process

In a first phase, the EU launched immediate actions to address urgent needs and to support the stabilisation priorities of the authorities. This was followed by a comprehensive package of projects with a longer-term perspective. With a total programme which now stands at € 95 million,

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including a strong security component, the EU is Libya's largest donor. Due to the severity of the situation in Libya the EU has engaged a wide range of tools ranging from diplomatic tools, development (also of the security sector), and short term assistance under the Instrument for Stability, to a CSDP mission. Furthermore the EU border management agency FRONTEX has been closely associated with the planning of the mission and will complement mission activities. This shows the EU's readiness and ability to deploy several complementary tools to reach the EU's overall objectives in its external action

Regional aspects

The strengthening of the Libyan borders should be seen in the wider regional perspective considering the specificities of the Maghreb and Sahel regions, which will be considered in the implementation of the mission's mandate. Libya's porous borders affect its neighbouring countries and vice-versa. The Libyan authorities will be supported in their efforts to establish links with Libya's neighbours and cross border activities such as joint patrols and border checks could be envisaged

The mission will also coordinate its activities with the other CSDP missions in the wider region, including EUCAP SAHEL Niger and EUTM Mali

Working with other international partners

The international community, in particular through the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, is engaged in assisting the country. The CSDP mission has been conceived to complement ongoing international efforts to develop and support security sector reform. The leading role of the EU in the field of support to border management is fully recognised by the international community. The mission is fully in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1973(2011) on Libya

The European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) includes the gradual framing of a common defence policy which might in time lead to a common defence. The CSDP allows the Union to develop its civilian and military capacities for crisis management and conflict prevention at international level, thus helping to maintain peace and international security, in accordance with the United Nations Charter. The CSDP includes a strong conflict prevention component.

Based in Brussels, the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) is the permanent structure responsible for an autonomous operational conduct of civilian CSDP operations. Under the political control and strategic direction of the Political and Security Committee and the overall authority of the High Representative, the CPCC ensures the effective planning and conduct of civilian CSDP crisis management operations, as well as the proper implementation of all mission-related tasks.

More information and background documents available on: www,consilium.europa.eu/csdp and eeas.europa.eu