European Union to fund education and health sectors in Libya, says envoy

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Libya Bettina Muscheidt on Tuesday announced that the EU will financially support projects in Libya in a number of sectors including health and education.

Muscheidt made her remarks during a meeting with the UN-backed Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad M’etig in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

They discussed “support provided by the EU to Libya in a number of areas, including health, education and information,” the Prime Minister’s media office said in a statement.

They also discussed EU’s support to the Sofia Operation to combat illegal migration off the coast of Libya, as well as training of Libyan Coast Guards and southern border control, the office said.

The two officials also discussed the political and economic situation in Libya and promotion of stability and security in the North African country, which in turn will lead to the success of the upcoming elections this year, the office said.

The EU launched the naval operation named Operation Sofia in 2015 to combat illegal immigration across the Mediterranean, as well as the smuggling of arms to Libya.

The EU has extended the operation until the end of 2018.

Admiral Enrico Crindindino, commander of Operation Sofia, revealed earlier that Europe intends to train 500 Libyan coastal guards before next summer.