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E.U. Ministers Meet to Discuss Stopping Human Traffickers by Force E.U. Agrees to Naval Intervention on Human Traffickers
(about 3 hours later)
BRUSSELS — European Union foreign and defense ministers met here on Monday to discuss the use of military force to prevent human traffickers from setting off from North Africa, confronting a crisis that has led to the deaths of thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. BRUSSELS — European Union foreign and defense ministers agreed to establish naval operations to disrupt human traffickers from setting off from North Africa, a potentially significant shift in how to deal with a swelling crisis that has strained the ability of countries to absorb tens of thousands of migrants and refugees, fueled social and political tensions across Europe, and led to thousands of migrant deaths at sea.
The loss of life has climbed in recent weeks as smugglers in North Africa offer the migrants passage in flimsy rubber dinghies and overcrowded fishing boats. The resulting deaths have shamed Europe and prompted its authorities to seek a united response, and there are also concerns the lucrative trade is helping finance terrorism in North Africa and offering terrorists a way into the European Union. A decision to militarize the crisis in the Mediterranean appeared to have the support of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said the alliance could offer assistance if called on. But the use of European naval power to address the crisis is likely to require further approvals from European governments as well as coastal states in North Africa or from the United Nations Security Council.
It also involves delicate packaging and diplomacy, given the sensitivity in some countries, like Ireland and Sweden, toward the use of military force. Specifically, the proposals have been presented as aimed at disabling the smuggling operations behind the migration surge, rather than at the desperate immigrants themselves, although the intention clearly is to stop the tens of thousands of refugees and migrants from the conflicts in the Middle East and Africa from making their way toward European shores.
The tougher stand against people smuggling comes amid a spike in migration to Europe, driven by economic hardship and a crescent of conflicts involving Islamic extremists from Nigeria and Mali to Somalia and Syria. Most critically, overshadowing the crisis is the prospect of uncontrolled migration from Libya, where a civil war and the limited reach of the authorities have made it easier for smugglers to use the country as a launching pad for the dangerous journey to the European Union.
There were about 17 times as many refugee deaths — more than 1,800 people — from January to April this year as there were during the same period last year. Overall, 436,000 people applied for asylum across Europe last year, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Just in Italy, the nation most affected by the crisis in the Mediterranean because of its proximity to Libya, some 33,000 have applied for asylum so far this year, on top of 170,000 arrivals last year.
The resulting deaths have shamed Europe and prompted its authorities to seek a united response, and there are also concerns the lucrative trade is helping finance terrorism in North Africa and offering terrorists a way into the European Union. The loss of life has climbed in recent weeks as smugglers in North Africa offer the migrants passage in flimsy rubber dinghies and overcrowded fishing boats.
Last week, the European authorities presented plans to spread the burden of processing and accommodating asylum-seekers among the bloc’s 28 member states. That plan has met with resistance in countries like Britain and Hungary, and it still needs the approval of governments at a summit meeting in June.Last week, the European authorities presented plans to spread the burden of processing and accommodating asylum-seekers among the bloc’s 28 member states. That plan has met with resistance in countries like Britain and Hungary, and it still needs the approval of governments at a summit meeting in June.
The meeting on Monday is focused on a different aspect of the European response: military operations to disable or destroy smugglers’ vessels before they leave North African shores. The issue will involve delicate diplomacy, given the sensitivity in some countries, like Ireland and Sweden, of using military force. But the meeting on Monday focused on a different aspect of the European response: Military operations to disable the smugglers’ vessels before they leave North African shores and destroy smugglers’ operations.
Federica Mogherini, the European Union foreign policy chief, told reporters before the meeting on Monday that action was needed “to dismantle the criminal networks that are smuggling people in the Mediterranean.” If ministers approve those plans, the European Union could “move forward with the planning and possibly launch the operation in the coming weeks,” she said.Federica Mogherini, the European Union foreign policy chief, told reporters before the meeting on Monday that action was needed “to dismantle the criminal networks that are smuggling people in the Mediterranean.” If ministers approve those plans, the European Union could “move forward with the planning and possibly launch the operation in the coming weeks,” she said.
How to stem the arrivals of migrants and accommodate those who make it to the European Union is among the thorniest challenges for the bloc. Strong anti-immigration sentiment in some countries and a reluctance to use force in neighboring states like Libya pose significant obstacles to rapid action.How to stem the arrivals of migrants and accommodate those who make it to the European Union is among the thorniest challenges for the bloc. Strong anti-immigration sentiment in some countries and a reluctance to use force in neighboring states like Libya pose significant obstacles to rapid action.
The plan under discussion in Brussels is divided into three phases: That caution was evident among some ministers on Monday. “We have insisted on having a legal ground for every step on the way, and also to be able to control each and every step,” Margot Wallstrom, the Swedish foreign minister, told reporters. A United Nations Security Council resolution would be necessary “as the basis for our actions,” she said.
The plan under discussion in Brussels would be divided into three phases:
• The first would increase patrols in international waters to find out what routes the smugglers use and to collect other intelligence.• The first would increase patrols in international waters to find out what routes the smugglers use and to collect other intelligence.
• The second part would involve the boarding, seizure and diversion of vessels encountered in international waters. That would probably require a United Nations Security Council resolution if those actions are conducted in the territorial waters of North African countries, and the consent of those countries. • The second part would involve the boarding, seizure and diversion of vessels encountered in international waters. That would probably require a United Nations Security Council resolution if those actions are conducted in the territorial waters of North African countries, or the consent of those countries.
• The third phase, calling for the possible destruction of smugglers’ vessels, is the most the problematic because it would involve actions near the coasts of Libya and other countries, and possibly involve onshore commando-style operations to identify and attack targets. That would require both a Security Council resolution and the agreement of the targeted countries. • The third phase, calling for the possible destruction of smugglers’ vessels, is the most the problematic because it would involve actions near the coasts of Libya and other countries, and possibly involve onshore commando-style operations to identify and attack targets. That could require both a Security Council resolution and the agreement of the targeted countries.
The ministers were also expected to decide on Monday where to put the command and control center for the operation. Italy is the likeliest location, because it is a frontline state for the migrants leaving from North Africa and it has significant experience patrolling the Mediterranean.The ministers were also expected to decide on Monday where to put the command and control center for the operation. Italy is the likeliest location, because it is a frontline state for the migrants leaving from North Africa and it has significant experience patrolling the Mediterranean.
The so-called Central Mediterranean Route is the most widely used sea route for the migrants, who are smuggled mainly from the Libyan coast across to Malta and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Sicily. There are also concerns that the trade is increasing the threat of terrorist attacks in Europe.The so-called Central Mediterranean Route is the most widely used sea route for the migrants, who are smuggled mainly from the Libyan coast across to Malta and the Italian islands of Lampedusa and Sicily. There are also concerns that the trade is increasing the threat of terrorist attacks in Europe.
“Of course, one of the problems is that there might be foreign fighters, there might be terrorists, also trying to hide, to blend in, among the migrants,” Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary general, told reporters before the meeting. NATO had not been formally approached for help, Mr. Stoltenberg, the NATO chief, said on Monday. But he said the Western military alliance stands “ready to help if there is a request” for such assistance.
“Of course, one of the problems is that there might be foreign fighters, there might be terrorists, also trying to hide, to blend in, among the migrants,” Mr. Stoltenberg told reporters.
“We have to respond to this turmoil, to these threats, in many different ways,” he said.“We have to respond to this turmoil, to these threats, in many different ways,” he said.
Migration routes across the Mediterranean are among the most dangerous in the world, according to European officials, who say more 20,000 people have died trying to make the crossing during the past two decades.Migration routes across the Mediterranean are among the most dangerous in the world, according to European officials, who say more 20,000 people have died trying to make the crossing during the past two decades.