The European Union’s Operation IRINI was denied consent request on Thursday, May 19, to inspect a Turkish state-owned ship as part of the operation’s mission to implement the U.N.-imposed arms embargo on Libya.
“IRINI regrets yesterday’s denial by Turkey of a flag State consent request to inspect MVKosovak in accordance with UNSCR 2292 on the arms embargo on Libya,” Operation IRINI stated via Twitter on Friday.
“We reiterate the call of the UNSC upon all UN members to cooperate with inspections,” it added.
#IRINI🇪🇺regrets yesterday’s denial by Turkey🇹🇷of a flag State consent request to inspect MVKosovak in accordance with #UNSCR 2292 on the arms embargo on #Libya🇱🇾.We reiterate the call of the #UNSC upon allUN members to cooperate with inspections @eu_eeas @ExtSpoxEU @NabilaEUspox
— Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI (@EUNAVFOR_MED) May 20, 2022
This is the seventh time that Turkey refuses inspection of its ships by Operation IRINI. Prior to this latest reported incident, Turkey denied the consent to board and inspect suspect vessels on six occasions, according to IRINI latest monthly report which was released on May 3.
Turkish ships refused inspection 6 times, says Operation IRINI