Bundestag Approves Extension of German Participation in EU Naval Mission IRINI
Berlin, January 28, 2025 – The German Bundestag has approved a government proposal to extend the deployment of German armed forces in the EU’s naval operation IRINI in the Mediterranean Sea. The extension comes amid ongoing concerns about the trafficking of arms and migrants in the region.
The resolution (Drucksache 20/14710), which was adopted with a majority vote, mandates the continued participation of up to 300 German personnel in the mission until May 2026. German assets involved in the operation include a reconnaissance aircraft, a patrol vessel, and a staff officer.
IRINI, launched in 2020, aims to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya and disrupt illicit activities in the Mediterranean, including human trafficking. The mission has been criticized by some for its limited mandate, which does not include actively seizing weapons or preventing human smuggling. However, supporters argue that IRINI provides valuable intelligence and contributes to stability in the region.
The Bundestag’s resolution includes an amendment calling on the government to work with EU partners to strengthen the mission’s mandate. The amendment also urges the government to support efforts to improve the living conditions of refugees and migrants in the region.
In a statement, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the Bundestag’s decision, saying: “The extension of IRINI’s mandate sends a clear message that Germany remains committed to addressing the challenges in the Mediterranean.”
She added: “We will continue to work with our EU partners to enhance the mission’s effectiveness and ensure that it contributes to stability and peace in the region.”
The vote follows a government report (20/14047) that assessed the mission’s progress and concluded that IRINI had “made a significant contribution to improving the security situation in the Mediterranean.” The report noted that the mission had collected valuable intelligence on arms trafficking and had helped disrupt smuggling networks.
The extension of German participation in IRINI comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Mediterranean, with ongoing conflicts in Libya and Syria creating a breeding ground for instability and illicit activities.
20/14710: Beschlussempfehlung und Bericht zu dem Antrag der Bundesregierung – 20/14047 – Fortsetzung der Beteiligung bewaffneter deutscher Streitkräfte an der durch die Europäische Union geführten Operation European Naval Force Mediterranean IRINI (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (PDF)
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