The United Nations Security Council approved with 13 positive votes and 2 abstentions (Russia, China) Resolution 2780 (2025), which extends the Irini business for another six months.
The resolution, co -ordinated by Greece and France, continues to allow inspections on international waters off the coast of Libya to implement the UN weapons embargo on ships directed to or from Libya, provided that there are reasonable submissions.
In the explanation of Greece’s vote, the country’s permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris welcomed the support of the Council and emphasized the constant importance of the mission. “We believe that the six -month renewal offers the opportunity for further cooperation with the members of the Council, as well as with all stakeholders, and in particular with the Libyan authorities,” he said.
Mr Sekeris also stood in the legal framework governing the Irini operation.
Greece supports all actions that enhance the effectiveness of the UN weapons embargo on Libya.
“Irini, as an impartial and unique tool, is a deterrent against weapons smuggling and is an important means that contributes substantially and effectively to the implementation of the UN embargo and international efforts for peace and stability in Libya,” Mr Sekeris said.
The Security Council has for the first time adopted these measures to fully implement the Libyan weapons embargo with resolution 2292 on June 14, 2016. Since 2016, the Council has renewed the measures included in this resolution annually.
This time, due to disagreements expressed by Libya, the command was renewed.
Irini, launched by the European Union in March 2020, aims to stop illegal weapons flows to and from Libya, according to the aforementioned Security Council resolutions. The mission is mainly based on maritime inspections, satellite monitoring and aerial surveillance.
According to the latest report by the Secretary -General, from 1 November 2024 to 14 April 2025, the EU Naval Power in the Mediterranean (EUNAVOR MED IRINI) remained the only regional organization that carried out ship inspections under the authorization.
During the report period, Irini made 2,271 ships with ships, 38 friendly approaches and two ship inspections. No seizures or destruction of banned species were reported.
Source: KYPE