The 28 EU governments have decided to resort to military action against smugglers in the Mediterranean. Operations should begin in early October. The naval military forces will be able to seize, divert ships suspected of being used for the passage of migrants, make arrests. All this will take place without trespassing into Libyan territorial waters.
This is the second phase of the Navofr Med operation launched in June. The general staffs of the states of the Union will meet on Wednesday to agree on the technical and logistical aspects. The EU will have to define the rules of engagement for the military.
A meeting of EU interior ministers is scheduled for today in Brussels to approve the new proposals of the European Commission on immigration which do not provide for the discussed mandatory quotas for countries.
Meanwhile, the day after Germany's announcement to restore border control, Austria decided to send the army (in support of the police) to the border with Hungary.
The measure was decided after yesterday's over 10 arrivals, but as Chancellor Werner Faymann reiterated, the right to seek asylum is not being questioned. And Slovakia has also decided to reintroduce controls.
