VISIT OF THE OPERATION IRINI COMMANDER TO TRIPOLI ON THE OCCASION OF THE SECOND EU-LIBYA TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP
From 22 to 24 July 2025, the Operation Commander (OPCDR) of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, Rear Admiral Valentino RINALDI, conducted an official visit to Tripoli, to take part in the second meeting of the Technical Working Group EU-Libya. The visit underscored the European Union’s commitment to partnership and coordination with Libyan authorities in support of regional stability and maritime security.
On 22 July, Rear Admiral RINALDI and his delegation from the Operation IRINI Headquarters, with EEAS Director for Peace, Security and Defence, Mr, Cosmin DOBRAN, were welcomed by the Head of the European Delegation to Libya, Ambassador Nicola ORLANDO, to carry out a series of activities and meetings with the Libyan authorities. In particular, the EU delegation visited the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Tripoli and held productive exchanges with key Libyan authorities, including representatives of the Libyan Coast Guard, the General Administration for Coastal Security, the Italian Embassy, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The visit included high-level meetings with Mr. Aeneas CHUMA, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator for UNSMIL, as well as with representatives from the UN Country Team, including UNHCR, UNMAS, and other partners, highlighting the need for a coordinated international response to support Libyan-led initiatives.
On 23 July, Admiral RINALDI and the EU delegation held a relevant meeting with Libya’s Attorney General, H.E. Saddiq AL-SOUR, at the General Attorney Office. Later, the delegation convened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the second meeting of the Technical Working Group EU-Libya was held, after the first important meeting held in Rome last 30 June. The Technical Working Group focuses on strengthening communication and cooperation between the Libyan authorities and the EU institutions, through EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, to make the Operation more compliant with the needs and requirements of the Libyan authorities, in order to promote the Libyan-led stabilization process of the country and security in the broader Mediterranean region. Admiral RINALDI provided a comprehensive update on the status of the Operation’s ongoing activities and underlined the commitment of the EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI to the objectives set out in the EU mandate, recently renewed until March 2027, including enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya, providing Capacity Building and Training (CB&T) in favor of the Libyan Maritime Authorities, and fostering stability in the Mediterranean in defense of the EU’s interests.
These high-profile meetings and activities carried out in Libya as part of the EU’s integrated approach, which involves the management of crisis situations through a coherent and synergistic approach, confirms the importance given by Operation IRINI, in close coordination with EEAS, EUDEL Libya, EUBAM Libya and UNSMIL, to cooperate and exchange information with the Libyan authorities. In this context, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, as an operational instrument of the EU, stands ready to support the Libyan institutions in fulfilling their priorities, respecting Libya’s sovereignty and promoting shared objectives on peace, security and governance.
