Maciej Popowski

Popowski was Deputy Secretary-General for the EEAS when Operation Sophia was designed in May 2015. His involvement in policy-making could not be substantiated but it should be highlighted that he was responsible for CSDP operations.

Popowski has met with two officials of the Libyan coast guards according to an article by EU observer in order to discuss migration. In April 2017, two Libyan commanders were in Brussels for talks about migration. Journalist Nikolaj Nielsen quotes Maciej Popowski who allegedly said that “we are dealing with two coastguards". Popowski said that discussions revolved around the needs of the commanders and what the EU could offer in return. According to Popowski, the EU would make sure the assistance they offered was used in an appropriate way, so that funds are well spent. 

He sits on the strategic board of the EUTF. In a video published on the 10th of October 2014 he emphasized that the EUTF which was put in place also to further capacity building and that the EU is training police and coast guards midterm to further this objective. In the 4th strategic board meeting of the EUTF, on the 24th  of April 2018 he highlights that the priorities for 2018 and 2019 aim at contributing to an effective migration management in the North African region.