Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Vladimir Safronkov after UN Security Council vote on renewal of inspection regime off the coast of Libya
Mr. President,
The Russian Federation has voted in favor of Security Council resolution 2491 that extended the mandate of special inspection regime on the high seas off the coast of Libya.
In the Security Council, we have always constructively addressed this initiative that resulted in establishing special inspection regimes on the high seas off the coast of Libya in order to counter illegal transportation of migrants and to support arms embargo.
When Security Council resolution 2240 established this regime, the main practical measure to counter illegal migration off the Libyan coast was military operation of the EU “Sophia”. Definitely, the resolution was not created to accommodate Sophia, but this turned out to be the only effective operation in the problematic water area.
Today with the activity of the key navy component of this operation being put on hold, and with Brussels failing to find a common ground in terms of its prospects, it appears that the regime established pursuant to resolution 2240 has no real tools to back it. This state of affairs has a negative impact on the authority of the Security Council, which is very dear for us as a Permanent Member.
We would like to remind of the call contained in the report of the Secretary-General to restore the navy component of “Sophia”. We hope the resolution we adopted today and its call to set forth practical steps will accelerate the decision-making in Brussels that should result in the navy component of Sophia resuming its activity.
Besides, we would like to emphasize that we are interested in continuing informal, mutually beneficial interactive dialogue with representatives of the EU and Sophia’s command when addressing the inspection regime at the Security Council or whenever needed.
In future, when making decisions about our support for regime’s renewal, we will take into account the effectiveness of the operation, its contribution to practical implementation of the arms embargo. Additional reports of the Secretary-General that the resolution asks for in its operative part, will add to objective assessment of its efficacy.
Mr. President,
We have to stress today that Russia has always taken any EU effort on countering illegal migration very seriously. However, lasting solution to this problem is not to be sought for in sanctions domain. It requires a comprehensive approach. True reasons for mass movement of people reside in conflict situations and disasters, social and economic problems that effected from the illegal armed intervention in Libya’s internal affairs in violation of relevant UNSC resolutions, which led to inhumane sufferings of many millions of people.
Facts of crimes committed against migrants only prove our point that there is one effective method - eradication of corresponding criminal networks. There needs to be efficient criminal prosecution at national level. It is no less important to develop sustainable prerequisites for normal peaceful life in the countries of mass exodus. It is obvious that reasons for many problems should be addressed through political settlement in countries that survive crises, as well as through assisting their social and economic rehabilitation and state building. What we need is to create favorable conditions, and people will get back to places of their residence.
Thank you.
