Mogherini’s mission impossible

At the Extraordinary European Council, Brussels, 23 April 2015 EU leaders discussed the recent tragic events involving migrants in the Mediterranean. They asked Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative to propose actions allowing to capture and destroy the smuggler's vessels before they can be used. The High Representative was invited to start the preparations for a possible CSDP operation, in accordance with international law.

This feature discusses the challenge facing the High Representative as she worked on producing a plan for discussion in June 2015.

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini spoke to the UN Security Council on the 11 May 2015 on the issues. This including seeking UN assistance to dismantle criminal groups smuggling migrants into the European Union.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Extraordinary European Council, Brussels, 23 April 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/extraordinary-european-council-brussels-23-april-2015/

ESO: Background information: More than 4,000 migrants on their way to Italy after being rescued http://www.europeansources.info/record/more-than-4000-migrants-on-their-way-to-italy-after-being-rescued/

BBC News, 11.05.15: EU seeks UN support to tackle migrant smuggling http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-32695483

EU: EEAS: Press Release, 11.05.15: Remarks by the High Representative/Vice-president Federica Mogherini at the press conference following the briefing of the UN Security Council, New York http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/150511_04_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 11.05.15: Saving migrant lives is 'first priority': EU foreign policy chief http://dw.de/p/1FOFe

EUObserver, 11.05.15: EU mission could endanger refugees, UN warns https://euobserver.com/justice/128668

Spiegel Online International, 12.05.15: Risky Deterrence: Europe Prepares Plan To Fight Human-Traffickers http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/eu-plans-military-action-to-stem-tide-of-illegal-migrants-a-1033388.html

EUObserver, 15.05.15: EU preparing to start migrant operation before UN approval https://euobserver.com/justice/128719

ESO: Background information: Managing migration better in all aspects: A European Agenda on Migration http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-managing-migration-better-in-all-aspects-a-european-agenda-on-migration/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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