Regional conference on cross-border cooperation between Libya and the Sahel was concluded on Thursday in Tunis, according to EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) in Libya.
The event was co-hosted by the EU Special Representative for the Sahel (EUSR), Emanuela Del Re and the Head of Mission to the European Border Assistance Mission to Libya (EUBAM Libya), Natalina Cea, with the support of the EU Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell for the Sahel (RACC) and the European Counter Terrorism-Just (CT JUST) project, the Mission said in a statement.
The Conference provided a valuable occasion to better understand the current situation and border management challenges affecting six countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) both at national and regional level, and to discuss strategies, actions and the use of technologies to support effective surveillance and controls at the border, EUBAM explained.
“The prosecution of border crimes and illegal trafficking – while respecting human rights – and curbing the illicit cross-border movements of goods and people to be used for malicious purposes, where among the topic of discussions during the conference,” it added.
“Panel discussions included: main border threats in Libya and in the Sahel and the impact on regional stability; national policies/strategies on border management and security; international cooperation and exchange of information and intelligence including the use if new technologies. The role of the local communities for an integrated approach to border management has been a focus of one of the panels.”
“Enhancing cross-border cooperation between Libya and Sahel region countries understanding how better countering border traffics, terrorism and organized crimes and how to more effectively face border management challenges requires a high-level of political engagement and a great deal of technical expertise,” the Mission said.
“The EU is committed to support the enhancing the Cross-border cooperation between Libya and the Sahel,” EUBAM pointed out.