Frank Walter Steinmeier

shared responsibility for a number of unanimous Council decisions, including the below. Note: Pursuant to Articles 31 and 42(4) of the TEU, the Council decision launching operation Sophia and all subsequent decisions renewing its mandate required unanimity, meaning that all Foreign Affairs ministers not only agreed, but did so even though they had a de facto veto power over the decision. (See: Council of the EU report: The Council of the EU and Operation Sophia)

• COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2015/788 of 18 May 2015, which adopted the formal decision to launch EUNAVFOR MED and gave the Political and Security Committee compentence to exert political control over the operation

• COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2015/972 of 22 June 2015, which set the EUNAVFOR MED launch date as June 22, 2015

shared responsibility for:

• COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2016/993 of 20 June 2016 amending Decision (CFSP) 2015/778 on a European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA): decision to extend the mandate of Sophia to include capacity building and training of LYCG

Moreover, at national level: Foreign Ministry in charge of the Libya dossier (Germany report chapter A.1.)

Steinmeier was well informed about the plight of refugees in Libya: He personally visited IOM reception centers in Niger and spoke with exiles that had returned from Libya. (See Germany report B.IV.)

In April 2016, Steinmeier (along with French FM), met with the Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj in Tripoli, “express[ing] full support for Libya... determined to provide substantial assistance to help the Government of National Accord.” Reportedly, the financing of projects and support for the establishment of national security structures in Libya were also discussed. Given the high profile of migration issues at the time and the focus on third country cooperation, Steinmeier likely discussed support for the Libyan coastguard at this meeting. (See Germany report B.III.)