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Aurescu: EU role on Libya situation can only be complementary to NATO's
The European Union's role in the enforcement of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 on Libya can only be complementary to the role of NATO, Romanian State Secretary for European affairs Bogdan Aurescu said at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday.
According to Agerpres correspondent, Aurescu explained that such role of the European Union that Romania backs is mainly aimed at the humanitarian relief and the civilians' protection, which are the two responsibilities the EU pledges in the enforcement of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973.
He underscored that the EU foreign ministers decided to expand the restrictions against several Libyan financial entities and against members of the Gaddafi rule following the worsened situation in Libya. Thus, the travel bans and the freeze of the financial assets will be applied to another 11 persons, adding to 27 Libyan officials already subjected to such sanctions, leader Muammar Gaddafi among them. Moreover, the financial assets of nine financial entities will be frozen, thus reaching a total number of 14 such entities, among which the Central Bank of Libya.
Technical talks are currently underway in NATO with respect to the operation plans aimed at providing humanitarian relief and monitoring the embargo on weapons sales to Libya, by sea included. NATO's role in the enforcement of the U.N. Security Council resolutions is to be decided. Romania's position and the position of most EU members is that of letting NATO in the forefront of assuming the monitoring of the embargo on the weapons sales to Libya.
There are the Council conclusions on Libya:
Council conclusions on Libya
3076th FOREIGN AFFAIRS Council meeting
Brussels, 21 March 2011
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"1. The Council expresses its concern at the present situation in Libya and condemns the gross
and systematic violation of human rights, violence and brutal repression perpetrated by the
regime against the Libyan people. It recalls the UNSC decision to refer these issues to the
ICC. It confirms that the EU's main aim is the protection of the civilian population and
support for the possibility for the Libyan people to realise their aspirations for a democratic
society. To this end Colonel Gaddafi has to relinquish power immediately.
2. The Council expresses its satisfaction after the adoption of UNSCR 1973 and underlines its
determination to contribute to its implementation. It also welcomes the Paris Summit as a
decisive contribution to its implementation. While contributing in a differentiated way, the
EU and its Member States are determined to act collectively and resolutely, with all
international partners, particularly the Arab League and other regional stakeholders, to give
full effect to these decisions.
3. The Council has adopted today additional further restrictive measures against the Libyan
leadership in the form of additional autonomous designations of person and entities with a
view to preventing further funding of the regime. On the basis of the UNSC Resolution, the
Council is working on the further strengthening of the measures with a view to their
adoption ahead of the European Council on 2425 March 2011.
4. The Council and the EU Member States will support actions provided for by UNSCR 1973
necessary to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack. It notes that
the EU will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to all those affected. The EU recalls
its readiness to help Libya build a constitutional state and develop the rule of law.
5. The EU is ready to provide CSDP support to humanitarian assistance in response to a
request from OCHA and under the coordinating role of the UN. Such actions will fully
respect the UN guidelines on the use of military and civil defence assets (MCDA).
6. The Council asks the High Representative to develop further planning in accordance with
UNSC Resolution 1973 and the European Council Declaration of 11 March 2011, on
support for humanitarian assistancecivil protection operations including by maritime means
for this purpose. This should be in close co-ordination and complementarity with the UN,
NATO and others. As part of this process, the Council invites the High Representative to
continue contacts with the UN Secretary General and countries of the region, including
Egypt and Tunisia. This process should be undertaken as a matter of urgency in order to
allow further consideration by the Council by the end of the week. It took note of the offer
by Italy to provide OHQ.
7. The EU and the Member States underline once more their solidarity as regards those
Member States most directly concerned by migratory movements and reiterate their
readiness to provide the necessary support as the situation evolves, in line with the European
Council declaration."