EU and INTERPOL officials have set up what they call a real-time passport control capacity at Tripoli International Airport.
The EU and INTERPOL, with the Libyan authorities, are launching a key stage of a 2.2 million euros project funded by the EU’s Instrument for Stability. The aim: improving Libyan border security and helping security sector reform. For the first time, the Libyan border control authorities will have the possibility to directly refer to INTERPOL databases and access the INTERPOL network to detect stolen and lost passports, and help identify wanted persons including suspected terrorists and international criminals. INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Document database contains about 36 million documents shared by 166 countries and is called upon more than 50 million times a month by law enforcers around the world.
High Representative Catherine Ashton said: “This EU/INTERPOL programme is an excellent example of the kind of practical support the EU is offering to Libya. It responds in real time to real needs, it makes available world class expertise and brings tangible benefits to both sides.”
The project includes three components:
reinforcement of the Libyan INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) and its network, covering, inter alia, central drug, border security and migration services and the main Libyan border crossing points, including all international airports, seaports and main land border crossing points with Tunisia and Egypt.
reinforcement of the criminal analysis capacity of the Criminal Investigation Department within the Ministry of the Interior.
a study of the transnational organised crime and terrorist threats in Libya.
Started in September last year, the EU authorities say this paves the way for significant cooperation in the area of security sector reform and border security. The EU is working for the quick deployment of an EU Border Assistance Mission in the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), whose first members will meet the Libyan authorities during the second part of this month and gradually build from there. The mission is planned to be launched by June 2013.
More information on the preparations of the CSDP mission:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/135129.pdf
