Informal meeting of Defence Ministers 26 27 April 2017 The Grandmaster s Palace, Valletta MEDIA BACKGROUND NOTE
Informal meeting of Defence Ministers 26 27 April 2017 The Grandmaster s Palace, Valletta MEDIA BACKGROUND NOTE Thursday, 26th April 2017 EUNAVFOR MED Sophia briefing (no media opportunities) 1 Presentation (16:30-18:30): EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia Ministers will be briefed on the latest activities of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia by Operation Commander, Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino. The presentation will take place on board the Operation s flagship which will be berthed in Valletta s Grand Harbour. As of the beginning of April, EUNAVFOR MED activities have resulted in 109- suspected smugglers and traffickers being prosecuted by the Italian authorities and 414 boats prevented from being re-used by smugglers. On 20 June 2016, the Council of the EU extended Operation Sophia s mandate until 27 July 2017, reinforcing it by adding two additional supporting tasks: the training of the Libyan Navy Coast Guard and Libyan Navy, and the contribution to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya, in accordance with the UNSCR 2292 (2016). During the session, Ministers will have the opportunity to take stock of the Operation s mandate implementation, ask questions to the Operation Commander and discuss the operational realities to be better-placed to adapt policy accordingly. 1 No part of the EUNAVFOR MED session is open to the Media/Press and it is not being held at the Grandmaster s Palace Page 2
Friday, 27th April 2017 Meeting Sessions The meeting will be chaired by Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and will be split into three sessions, followed by a Press Conference, as follows 2 : Session I (09:30-11:00): Libya / Operation Sophia Session II (11:00-12:30): Permanent Structured Cooperation [PESCO] Working Lunch (13:00-14:30): EU Battlegroups Press Conference (14:30-15:00): Carmelo Abela, Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security, together with Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Libya / Operation Sophia During the first working session, Defence ministers will discuss the EU s operational engagement in the Mediterranean and Libya, and the wider regional challenges including those related to irregular migration. NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, and the UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will be invited to join the meeting for this discussion. The discussion will follow-on from the EUNAVFOR MED briefing the previous day and will be an opportunity to take stock of Operation Sophia s recent activities, including the training of Libyan Navy and Navy Coast Guard personnel. The Malta Declaration on the external dimension of migration, adopted by EU Heads of State or Government on 3 February 2017, was a landmark development in the EU s approach towards migration in the central Mediterranean. Leaders agreed to significantly reduce dangerous migration, break the business model of smugglers and save lives. In particular, they agreed to step up cooperation with the Libyan authorities. The declaration states: "Efforts to stabilise Libya are now more important than ever, and the EU will do its utmost to contribute to that objective. In Libya, capacity 2 Timings/order of sessions may be subject to changes Page 3
building is key for the authorities to acquire control over the land and sea borders and to combat transit and smuggling activities." Following the adoption of the Malta Declaration, the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU immediately prepared an Implementation Plan and has prioritised the regular review of its progress being made by all Stakeholders. Together with a broad range of EU financial, diplomatic and civilian measures, Operation Sophia has an important role to play in this implementation and defence ministers will have an opportunity to discuss this role as well as other political and security developments in the region and the EU s engagement therein. Permanent Structured Cooperation During the second working session, Ministers will have the opportunity to take stock of the ongoing work on Permanent Structured Cooperation, also known as PESCO, and the proposed Coordinated Annual Review on Defence. The session will also include an update on the Commission-led work on implementing the European Defence Action Plan including the proposal for a European Defence Fund. The Lisbon Treaty introduced the possibility for EU Member States to strengthen their cooperation in military matters by establishing permanent structured cooperation (Articles 42(6) and 46 TEU). The idea is to make full use of this possibility by setting up an inclusive, modular system of permanent structured cooperation, through which member states could collaborate further in the area of security and defence to strengthen CSDP. If established, any capabilities developed through PESCO will remain owned and operated by Member States. During the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 6 March 2017, EU foreign ministers adopted Council Conclusions which invited Member States to work together with the European External Action Service and European Defence Agency to consider and develop (a) an agreement on a shared understanding of the common commitments, goals and criteria on the basis of the relevant provisions of the Treaty, as well as the governance model, and (b) the possible projects and initiatives that Member States are willing to pursue through PESCO, including in a modular way. This work would feed into the preparation of the notification to the Council and the High Representative and of the Council Decision establishing PESCO. EU foreign ministers are due to revert to the issue in May 2017 in order to provide further Page 4
political guidance on the possible decision-making. The informal discussion of EU defence ministers in Malta will contribute to that discussion. EU Battlegroups During a working lunch, defence ministers will focus on the issue of strengthening the EU Rapid Response toolbox, including through the deployment of the EU Battlegroups. In particular, ministers will discuss how best to reinforce the modularity, preparation and effective financing of the Battlegroups. The EU's Rapid Response toolbox is a unique and valuable feature of the Union s Common Security and Defence Policy. It focuses on military options such as the EU Battlegroups and the Council has asked to look into their preparation, modularity and effective financing. The EU Battlegroup concept reached full operational capability on 1 January 2007. Since that date, when responding to a crisis, the EU is able to call on two EU Battlegroups on standby for rapid-response deployments of limited duration if so decided by the Council, either as stand-alone actions or as part of a larger operation. Member State provide the EU Battlegroups on the basis of rotation. Working Lunch Press/Media Contacts The informal meeting of Defence Ministers is chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. As such, kindly refer to the European External Action Service s Press/Spokesperson s Office as a primary contact point. As a secondary contact point (or in case of logistical questions), you can contact the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU at: Page 5
Malta Mr. Alessandro Mangion +356 2568 9302 (office) or +356 79799909 (mobile); alessandro.mangion@gov.mt Brussels Mr. Anis Cassar: +32 (0)497 647 311; anis.cassar@gov.mt Ms. Wendy Borg: +32 (0)470 993 811; wendy.borg@gov.mt Page 6