EU to Decide on Human-Smuggler Counter Operation Without Denmark - Source

A decision by the European Union regarding the launch of a program to tackle human traffickers in the Mediterranean Sea will be made without Denmark, a source in the European Council told RIA Novosti Monday.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – The decision on this new program is expected on Monday. According to the source, Denmark does not take part in either preparing or implementing defense programs, and abstains from voting on matters of European security and defense policy.

The EU foreign ministers are expected to launch the first step of the EU Navfor Med operation on Monday.

The European Union has been scrambling to manage an influx of undocumented migrants from the Middle East and North Africa via the Mediterranean Sea. A naval operation was proposed in May in the wake of a lethal shipwreck that saw hundreds of refugees die in April while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. The proposed mission includes destroying vessels used by smugglers to transport refugees.

In May, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the 28-nation bloc had not considered bombing vessels, foreseeing only a naval operation. According to leaked documents, the EU strategy includes an aerial campaign, as well as the possible deployment of ground troops in Libya, a major hub for people smugglers.