Ambassadors of the European Union and of EU Member States, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, EUBAM Head of Office and like-minded partners at the Operation IRINI Headquarters in Rome
The Operation Commander, Rear Admiral (UH) Marco CASAPIERI, welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of the Operation’s ongoing efforts in the Central Mediterranean.
The meeting, organized in coordination with Ambassador of the European Union to Libya Mr. Nicola ORLANDO, was further enhanced by the presence of Ambassadors of EU Member States accredited to Libya; Ms. Ulrika RICHARDSON, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (UNSMIL) and UN Resident Coordinator in Libya; Mr. Frederik PETERSEN, Head of EUBAM; representatives from the UK; as well as representatives of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
During the visit, the distinguished guests received comprehensive briefings on Operation IRINI’s mandate and operational activities. The Operation’s staff highlighted IRINI’s contribution to Maritime Situational Awareness, including the monitoring of the Shadow Fleet (SF) and surveillance efforts aimed at protecting Critical Maritime Infrastructure (CMI) throughout the region.
The delegation was also updated on the latest Capacity Building and Training (CB&T) initiatives with Libyan maritime authorities. In this context, Op. IRINI presented the current status of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) project for Benghazi, providing an overview of the progress achieved so far, the ongoing technical preparations, and the next steps needed to establish a fully operational coordination centre compliant with international standards and human rights.
The visit provided a timely platform to underscore both the persistent challenges shaping the Mediterranean security environment and the indispensable contribution of Operation IRINI’s role. The Operation remains crucial to enhancing maritime security, promoting regional stability, and ensuring the effective implementation of the EU’s mandate in the Mediterranean.
As consistently emphasized when presenting the current state of play and the progress of Operation IRINI, the initiative holds substantial potential to deepen EU–Libya partnership and to shape a more stable and secure Mediterranean. “Real progress requires sustained momentum and a coordinated effort among all institutional, military, and political stakeholders, supported by the collective commitment and operational contributions of EU Member States. There are no ready‑made solutions; however, the European mandate provides IRINI with a privileged and informed vantage point from which to assess evolving dynamics and anticipate future challenges. The Operation is ready, credible and scalable to face the challenges and grab the opportunities that lie ahead us”, underlined RAdm. CASAPIERI.
This strategic posture reinforces the Operation’s relevance as a long‑term instrument for promoting maritime security, strengthening regional stability and advancing shared European objectives in the Mediterranean.
Operation IRINI represents the only EU Standing Security Maritime Provider presence in the Mediterranean and a key strategic contribution to advancing Libya’s peace and stability process.
EUNAVFOR MED IRINI continues to operate across the Mediterranean, carrying out the full range of tasks entrusted under the EU mandate. Through its efforts to counter arms trafficking, expose illicit networks involved in oil smuggling and human trafficking, enhance Maritime Situational Awareness, and provide capacity-building and training support to the Libyan authorities, the Operation contributes to the broader objective of promoting stability in Libya while safeguarding the European Union’s strategic interests in the Mediterranean region.
