EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia signs agreement to train Libyan Coast Guard and Navy

Today the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding on the training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy between EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia and the Libyan Coast Guard took place in Rome. The Operation will conduct a training programme of Libyan Coast Guards and Navy, in coordination with other EU agencies and international actors, in three consecutive phases - on the high sea on board of EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia units; ashore in a Member State or Libya; and on Libyan Coastguard and patrol boats. The training programme will help improve the security of Libyan territorial waters, enhance the capacity of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy to perform law enforcement actions to tackle human traffickers and smugglers and contribute to prevent further loss of life at sea.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Operation Commander Read Admiral Enrico Credendino on behalf of EUNAVFOR Med and Commodore Abdalh Toumia, Commander of the Libyan Coastguard and Port Security.

EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia has been active in International waters since June 2015. Its core mandate is to disrupt the business model of human traffickers and smugglers in the Central Mediterranean. More information is available on the Operation's website .