THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 18 May 2015, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2015/778(1).
(2) On 20 June 2016, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2016/993(2) which amended Decision (CFSP) 2015/778 by adding two supporting tasks to EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA's mandate, namely capacity building and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy, and contributing to information sharing and the implementation of the United Nations (UN) arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya.
(3) The vetting of possible trainees from the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy should be made more efficient by exchanging information with INTERPOL, the International Criminal Court and the United States of America as well as with Member States, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the European Police Office (EUROPOL) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
(4) Information exchange in the context of implementing the UN arms embargo on the high seas off the coast of Libya should be authorised up to the level ‘SECRET UE/EU SECRET’.
(5) The possibility should be introduced for EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA to exchange information with INTERPOL in the context of the fight against trafficking in human beings or the arms embargo.
(6) In addition, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) should be empowered to authorise the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) to exchange information with relevant third States and international organisations as necessary to meet the operational needs of EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA.
(7) The HR should be authorised to delegate the authorisations to release classified information and to conclude the arrangements to that effect referred to in Decision (CFSP) 2015/778.
(8) The necessity for EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA to comply with applicable law when it collects, stores and exchanges personal data and evidence should be emphasised.
(9) Decision (CFSP) 2015/778 should be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/778 of 18 May 2015 on a European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) (OJ L 122, 19.5.2015, p. 31).
Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/993 of 20 June 2016 amending Decision (CFSP) 2015/778 on a European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) (OJ L 162, 21.6.2016, p. 18).