German and Italian Ministers of Defence visit operation Sophia Headquarters
Today, the German minister of Defence, Ursula von der Leyen, visited the Headquarters of EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia together with her Italian counterpart, Roberta Pinotti.
Being part of a wider meeting program between the two officials, the visit to the European HQ provided the occasion to be updated on the achievements and the current status of the Mission by the Operation Commander, Admiral Enrico Credendino.
Having acknowledged EUNAVFOR MED effectiveness in the first 4 months since the Operation launch, before leaving the European Headquarters both Ministers took the chance to meet German and Italian media underlining their shared strategic vision regarding the security in the Mediterranean sea.
EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, launched on the 22nd of June 2015, has entered its second phase last October 7th. Until now the Operation contributed to save more than 5400 people while 42 people have been reported to the Italian Authorities as possible smugglers.