The European Union said in a statement it was ready to step up its engagement in this regard and will consider any request to provide support for an efficient ceasefire monitoring mechanism in close coordination with UNSMIL.
“We reiterated our support for all reform efforts by Libyan authorities in the security sector especially in the context of a comprehensive settlement.” The EU ambassadors who presented credentials to the Government of National Accord on Saturday in Tripoli said in a statement.
They also underlined the importance of engaging fully in all tracks of the UN-led Berlin process to reach a permanent and sustainable ceasefire agreement, the restoration of the monopoly of the State on the legitimate use of force all over the country, the reunification of financial institutions, the full lifting of the oil blockade across Libya, and the resumption of the political dialogue.
The statement reaffirmed that the EU is united behind the Berlin process as the only option to put an end to the Libyan crisis and the suffering of Libya’s civilian population, and to avoid further destabilization in Libya and in the region.
“There can only be a political solution to the current crisis, which would take the country towards parliamentary and presidential elections.” The EU said.
The statement reiterated EU’s call to all Libyan leaders to engage in good faith in the UN-facilitated Libyan Political Dialogue Forum.
“To this end, we expressed our expectation that all representatives invited to the next meeting would attend. We continued to urge efforts to ensure that women are participating and represented at all levels in the ongoing political process.” It indicated.
It also stressed that a permanent ceasefire agreement will only be possible through talks and welcomed the announcement of an in-person session of the Joint Military Commission, under the guidance of the UN Mission to Libya (UNSMIL), expecting both sides to conclude their work on a ceasefire agreement as soon as possible.
“We welcomed recent efforts to resume oil production while working towards an equitable and transparent management of oil revenues among all regions of the country and urged once more our interlocutors to move forward without further delay on much needed economic reforms, including the reunification of the country’s financial institutions. We expressed our readiness to continue supporting these economic reforms, including through the Economic Working Group of the Berlin Process, which is co-chaired by the EU.” The statement reads.
The EU reiterated its commitment to support the Libyan people, saying it had funded programs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthen democratic institutions, improve service delivery and promote economic recovery in Libya currently amount to €480 million.
