Parliament Okays Strengthening of Irini Military Operation

Bratislava, September 16 (TASR) - MPs approved on Thursday the strengthening of the EUNAVFOR MED Irini naval military operation, TASR learnt on the same day. Up to 11 members of the Military Police are going to bolster the operation as of March 2022. The troops should serve as intervention teams on a ship operating under the German flag for a period of six months. The proposal for the temporary expansion of Slovakia's involvement in the operation was submitted by the Defence Ministry and was already approved by the Government. "With its contribution, Slovakia will cover the missing military capabilities in the operation and will contribute towards making it function better and fulfilling the mandate and tasks that were set up," reads the document. According to the current mandate, up to five members of the Slovak Armed Forces can work at the operation's headquarters. The Irini operation is being carried out in international waters in the area off the eastern coast of Libya. Its main role is to contribute towards implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya via air, satellite and naval means. The deployment of Irini resources should allow not only monitoring, but also the detention and inspection of suspect ships. am/mcs