The Council adopted conclusions on Libya. The Council welcomes the outcome of the Conference for Libya hosted by Italy in Palermo on 12 and 13 November 2018, which followed the Paris Conference held on 29 May 2018.
The Council states that the status quo in Libya is a prevalent source of instability and insecurity for the Libyan people, its neighbours, and the entire region.
It reiterates that there can only be a political solution to the Libyan crisis, and that this needs to come from the Libyans themselves through an inclusive political process, with full and equal participation and representation of women, and in full respect of international law, including human rights.
The conclusions express the EU and member states’ full support to the recalibrated action plan presented by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé on 8 November to the UN Security Council.
The EU and its members states will actively accompany its three strands – political, security and economic – in line with the long-term comprehensive coherent approach to support the UN-led process towards transition and reconciliation.
The Council will also address issues related to security, economic policy, stabilisation and migration.
The full text of the Council conclusions:
1. The European Union (EU) recalls the previous Council conclusions on Libya and welcomes the outcome of the Conference for Libya hosted by Italy in Palermo on 12 and 13 November 2018, which followed the Paris Conference held on 29 May 2018.
In Palermo, Libyan leaders and the international community expressed full support for ongoing efforts by the United Nations (UN) for a Libyan-owned political process including the recalibrated Action Plan presented by the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé on 8 November to the UN Security Council.
2. The status quo in Libya is a prevalent source of instability and insecurity for the Libyan people, its neighbours, and the entire region.
The EU reiterates that there can only be a political solution to the Libyan crisis which needs to come from the Libyans themselves through an inclusive political process, with full and equal participation and representation of women, and in full respect of international law, including human rights.
3. The EU and its Member States will provide their full support to the recalibrated Action Plan and will actively accompany its three strands – political, security and economic– in line with their long-term comprehensive coherent approach to support the UN-led process towards transition and reconciliation.
Confronted with the urgent need to overcome the political stalemate, the EU calls on all Libyan actors, in particular the House of Representatives and the High Council of State, to cooperate constructively with the Government of National Accord towards the objectives agreed upon in Palermo, including the holding in Libya of the National Conference in early 2019, to move forward with the needed constitutional and legislative framework and to conclude the constitutional and electoral processes by spring 2019.
The EU recalls its commitment in assisting Libyans to prepare for elections through support for the High National Electoral Commission and welcomes the ongoing efforts to hold municipal elections.
All those who undermine the political process or threaten the stability of Libya will be held accountable. Subject to further developments, the EU stands ready to consider the application of additional sanctions.
4. Addressing effectively security in Tripoli and throughout the country is essential for safeguarding Libya’s sovereign institutions and moving forward with the political transition.
The EU and its Member States urge all parties to pursue the full implementation of the new security arrangements, including through the Joint Operations Centre, and the establishment of regular army and police forces.
The EU urges Libyans to conclude an inclusive agreement on the unification of the armed forces under civilian authority, in the framework of the Cairo Dialogue.
The EU recalls the work of the EU Liaison and Planning Cell and of the EU CSDP missions EUBAM Libya and EUNAVFOR Med Operation Sophia.
The EU will continue to assist the Libyans in reinforcing the capacity of the security institutions under UN-led coordination. Addressing security challenges will help in the fight against terrorism, as well as contribute to improving the human rights situation.
5. Structural monetary and fiscal reforms, including the subsidies and wage bill reform, and anti-corruption measures are urgently needed to ensure a coherent economic policy.
The swift reunification of national institutions, notably the Central Bank and the National Oil Corporation, and the financial review of the financial institutions are essential for a fair, transparent, accountable and sustainable distribution of national resources to the benefit of all Libyans.
The EU urges all relevant institutions, including the Government of National Accord and the Central Bank, to urgently advance the economic reforms, and stands ready to provide support in these endeavours in coordination with multilateral financial institutions.
6. The EU reiterates its commitment to the stabilization of Libya in the spirit of the Paris and Palermo Conferences. The coordination with Libyan and international partners under the UN-led process remains crucial to work together effectively.
The EU and its Member States remain concerned by the continued violation of international humanitarian law and human rights, including sexual and gender based violence.
The EU and its Member States will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, and to assist the Libyan people through their cooperation programmes in a wide range of areas, including governance, economic development, health, youth and education, civil society, security and mediation, and to build up Libya’s institutional capacity.
7. The EU will also continue to help Libyans address the migratory challenges, notably to: fight against smuggling and trafficking of human beings; support the resilience and stabilisation of host communities; improve the situation and protection of migrants and refugees; help ensure UN agencies’ and other aid organisations’ access to migrants and people in need of protection; overcome the current system of detention centres; and better manage the borders, including in the south of Libya.
The EU welcomes the progress achieved so far in the framework of the Trilateral AU-EU-UN Taskforce, which allowed for the assisted voluntary returns of migrants to their countries of origin. The EU also welcomes the cooperation realised among the stakeholders on evacuation of those in need of international protection in view of their resettlement and invites Member States to further sustain their voluntary resettlement efforts.
8. The EU remains fully committed to support the UN-led mediation process and the efforts of the Special Representative and the work of UNSMIL. It will continue to stand by the Libyan people in the long run to assist them in creating a stable, secure and peaceful Libya.
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The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states’ governments. Also known informally as the EU Council, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.
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