As a follow-up to the tasking received from the EU Heads of Missions’ meeting on 15 April 2021, EUBAM has organised its first Technical Coordination Group for partner EU institutions and Member States. The meetings, which will take place every three months, aim to enhance cooperation between EU actors and the Mission’s Libyan counterparts in the fields of Border Management, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.

During the forum, the Libyan Border Guards’ Head of Operations, Husni Kati, and the Head of Research and Development, Nasser Alshamekh presented a strategic assessment of their needs and priorities from a management perspective. This was well-received by participants including Ambassadors from EU Member States and representatives from the EU family of institutions: the EU Delegations to Libya and Tunisia, Operation EUNAVFOR Irini, the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, and the EU Liaison and Planning Cell.

Future events will replicate this format, with the Mission inviting senior Libyan partners whom it works closely with, to deliver their points of view to the Group’ s members. In doing so, this forum will directly address Libyan partner’s requests and forge stronger partnerships between EU actors and key Libyan stakeholders, while enhancing overall cooperation at a technical level within the areas of the Mission’s mandate. As Deputy Head of Mission, Anders Garly Andersen explained “the aim is to ensure that Libyan partners are in the driving seat to present their own priorities and needs”.

Head of Mission, Natalina Cea, together with the Heads of EUBAM’s Border Management, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice units, took the opportunity to introduce the Mission’s Integrated Matrix of requests from Libyan Partners. The matrix will guide the Technical Group’s work, and as a living document, will be regularly updated by EUBAM and relevant partners, allowing for the identification of synergies in ongoing and planned initiatives, ensuring - at the same time - ownership and commitment from our Libyan counterparts.

Participants were also briefed about the recent visit of the EU Civilian Operations Commander, Francisco Esteban-Perez, and the Head of the Integrated Approach for Security and Peace Directorate, Stefano Tomat. Likewise, a short presentation was given on the findings of the Mission’s recent visit to the Ras Ajdir border crossing point with Tunis.