Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/488 of 11 March 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 on the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472⁽¹⁾, which established a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).
On 20 March 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/653⁽²⁾, which extended EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2025.
In the context of a Strategic Review of the operation, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) agreed that EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be extended until 31 March 2027.
The PSC furthermore agreed that a new task should be added to the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI to improve Maritime Situational Awareness in the Area of Operation and the Joint Operation Area of the operation by gathering information on potentially illegal activities not already covered under the current mandate and by gathering information useful for the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and for contingency planning.
The PSC moreover agreed that capacity building and training should be extended, beyond the Libyan Coast Guards and Navy, to relevant Libyan institutions responsible for law enforcement and for search and rescue at sea.
Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 is amended as follows:

the following article is inserted:

1.
As a secondary task, and within its means and capabilities, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall conduct monitoring and surveillance activities and gather information on illicit activities other than the trafficking of arms and related materiel and illicit exports of petroleum from Libya, as well as information useful to the protection of critical maritime infrastructure and to contingency planning, thereby contributing further to maritime situational awareness in the Area of Operation and in the Joint Operation Area.

2.
The information gathered in this context may be stored and released to the relevant law authorities of Member States and to competent Union bodies.’

;
in Article 4, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
‘1.
As a further secondary task, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall assist the relevant Libyan institutions responsible for law enforcement and for search and rescue at sea, in particular the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy, in the development of their capacities and in their training in law enforcement at sea, in particular to prevent human smuggling and trafficking.’
;
in Article 13, the following paragraph is added:
‘5.
For the period from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2027, the reference amount for the common costs of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall be EUR 16 350 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 51(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 shall be 10 % for commitments and 5 % for payments.’
;
in Article 15, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
‘2.
EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall end on 31 March 2027.’.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 11 March 2025.

For the Council

The President

A. Domański