EUNAVFOR MED IRINI mandate renewed until 2029
IRINI 2.0: Ready. Credible. Scalable.
The Council of the European Union has renewed the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2029. With its renewed mandate, Operation IRINI emerges stronger than ever, with the political objectives of safeguarding European Union interests in the Mediterranean and contributing to peace and stability in Libya.
Under its renewed mandate, IRINI will fulfil three strategic roles:
- safeguarding EU interests in the Mediterranean through credible protection and deterrence;
- contributing to the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions in support of peace and stability in Libya; and
- fostering Mediterranean partnerships through capacity building and training, as well as naval diplomacy, within the EU’s integrated approach.
In addition to its existing tasks, Operation IRINI will take on three new responsibilities in the Mediterranean:
– contributing to efforts to constrain the Russian shadow fleet;
– strengthening EU and Member States’ maritime domain awareness; and
– supporting the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
These responsibilities reflect the vital importance of the maritime domain to European security. Shadow fleet activities pose significant challenges to maritime security, the enforcement of international measures and the protection of the marine environment. The strengthened focus on maritime domain awareness and critical maritime infrastructure will provide the EU a better understanding of threats and illicit activities at sea, while supporting efforts to protect infrastructure essential to Europe’s security, connectivity and economic resilience.
At the same time, Operation IRINI will maintain its strong connection to Libya. Exposing violations of UN arms embargo on Libya, as well as illicit oil smuggling, remains at the heart of its mandate. The Operation will also continue to support maritime security cooperation in the Mediterranean through capacity building, training and naval diplomacy.
Operation IRINI also remains ready to scale up and respond to contingencies as the maritime security environment evolves.
Building on years of operational experience and expertise in the Mediterranean, the European Union is strengthening Operation IRINI’s contribution to security and stability in the region and responding to an evolving maritime security environment.
