27 Nov 2015

First Shared Awareness and De-confliction meeting for the Mediterranean Sea

Yesterday 26th of November, in the Italian Navy barracks Riccardo Grazioli Lante della Rovere in Rome, took place the first Shared Awareness and De-confliction (SHADE) meeting for the Mediterranean Sea chaired, for the occasion, by EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia.

The initiative is aimed at fostering mutual understanding between civilian and military actors involved in the Mediterranean theatre and at supporting the development of synergies in the overall framework of outreach activities and operations in this area.

The seminar was attended by more than 80 representatives coming from different organizations, ranging from Governments and Armed Forces of the coastal states of the Mediterranean, International Institutions such as the United Nations and the European Union and Non-Governmental entities involved in rescue operations at sea.

All of them are involved in responding to the challenges of irregular migration across the Mediterranean Sea.

Since the EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia launch, last 22nd of June, 43 people have been reported to the Italian Authorities as suspect smugglers and 46 boats have been removed from illegal organizations’ availability while the EU Task Force contributed to save more than 5700 people.