ROME -- Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, accompanied by the Finnish Ambassador in Italy, Janne Taalas, has visited the Operational Headquarters of EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia, The Minister and his delegation was welcomed Friday by Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, EUNAVFOR MED Operation Commander, and afterwards received an update about the results reached since the beginning of the Operation.

 Before leaving, Mr Soini had the opportunity to visit the EUNAVFOR MED Joint Operation Centre where the operational activities are planned, directed and followed.

 Finland is one of the 24 EU contributing Members States to EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA, that was launched on the June 22 last year, being part of a wider EU’s comprehensive approach to migration, tackling both current symptoms and root causes such as conflict, poverty, climate change and persecution.

 The mission is aimed at contributing to disrupt the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Mediterranean and to prevent the further loss of life at sea.

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