European-Libyan Cooperation to Secure Libyan Borders with Tunisia
The European mission will work to provide technical and strategic advice to Libyan authorities responsible for border security and management
A joint committee between the Libyan side and the European Union Mission (EUBAM) agreed on Tuesday to support the capabilities of Libyan authorities in securing and managing the borders with Tunisia during a meeting in Tripoli, the first of the committee formed according to a memorandum of understanding signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Government of National Unity and the European mission on October 9, 2023, according to a statement from the mission, while the Tunisian side and neighboring countries concerned with securing the borders with Libya were also absent from this meeting.
The mission said that both parties had reviewed “the activities carried out by the mission during the past period, and discussed its plan for the period from May 2024 to June 2025 (end of the mission’s mandate), aligning it with the needs of the Libyan side.”
They emphasized “the importance of the mission’s role in providing technical and strategic advice to Libyan authorities concerned with border security and management,” according to the statement.
The two parties agreed to “focus their cooperation in a first phase on securing the Al-Wasaa border area and the Ras Jedir border crossing (with Tunisia), as well as providing technical and logistical support to the maritime borders.”
On March 19, the Ras Jedir border crossing witnessed armed clashes on the Libyan side between forces from the Ministry of the Interior of the Government of National Unity and militants from the border region, prompting Tripoli and Tunis to close the crossing.
Calm returned to the border crossing after agreements between government forces and militias affiliated with the Zuwara Chamber, while discussions about an influence struggle for control of smuggling points escalated.
Tunisia, grappling with a severe economic crisis, seeks to reopen the border crossing, considered a lifeline for traders in border areas, especially the city of Ben Guerdane, while the Libyan side pledged at the meeting that brought together Tunisian President Kais Saied and President of the Presidential Council Mohammed Menfi to reopen the crossing as soon as possible.
EUBAM mission chief Jan Vitsial said the European-Libyan joint committee “is responsible for overseeing and coordinating cooperation between the two parties, demonstrating the mission’s commitment to supporting the capabilities of Libyan authorities concerned with border security and management,” adding, “We are ready to coordinate the support provided by the European Union in this field.”
Director of the European Affairs Department at the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abderrahmane Khemada said, “The Libyan side of the committee consists of agencies under the ministries of the Interior and Defense responsible for border management, as well as the Chief of Staff and customs.”
He added, “During the past period, two delegations from the European mission visited the Al-Wasaa border sector and the Ras Jedir crossing with Tunisia.”
“We are currently focusing on work at the borders with sister Tunisia, providing technical support, technical consultations, and the necessary equipment at the Ras Jedir crossing point and surveillance towers in the Al-Wasaa border area.”
On May 22, 2013, the Council of the European Union gave the green light for the establishment of a Border Assistance Mission in Libya under the Common Security and Defense Policy, aimed at supporting Libyan authorities in improving and developing the country’s border security.
