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<p>As my reply on 13 September 2017 to the House of Lords Select Committee on the
European Union stated, the Government accepts that Operation SOPHIA has not delivered
all we had hoped. However, there have been successes since Op SOPHIA was established.
The smuggling networks can no longer operate with impunity in International Waters.
The Operation has put over 551 smuggling vessels beyond use and rescued over 44,000
migrants. The Libyan Coastguard Training Task has also improved Libya's ability to
manage its own maritime border.</p><p><br>However, HMG has always been clear that
Operation SOPHIA is one part of the European approach to this issue. Ultimately, we
need to prioritise interventions upstream in countries of origin and transit. Doing
so should reduce the need of individuals and families to leave their home country
or move on from a safe third country in their region. It is also worth noting that
Operation SOPHIA is additionally tasked with the important work of implementing the
UN arms embargo on Libya in the High Seas. Military vessels are vital for this task,
which prevents deliveries of arms that would further destabilise the fragile situation
in Libya. Non-military vessels would not be able to deter smuggling gangs from operating
in International Waters in the same way. Military assets are also better able to confiscate
and destroy unsafe boats and outboard engines used by smugglers.</p>
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