EU defense, foreign ministers approve military mission targeting smuggler boats

In several hours of talks in Brussels on Monday, EU foreign and defense ministers laid the foundations for an unprecedented military mission aimed at targeting people smugglers and preventing migrants drowning in the Mediterranean.

EU foreign policy head Federica Mogherini said she hoped to have the legal framework for launching the operation in June.

"When we have the political will and determination to act quickly, we can do it," Mogherini told media following the meeting, which came a month after a mass drowning off Libya's coast which shocked Europe.

Read more: EU defense, foreign ministers approve military mission targeting smuggler boats | News | DW.DE | 18.05.2015

Mission Impossible: Dutch Afghanistan mission expected to face roadblock in Parliament

Political insiders say it is just about certain. The new Mark Rutte Government will have to swallow its first major defeat in the Dutch parliament. No majority vote for a new Dutch mission to Afghanistan.

The Government can however overrule a no vote and still dispatch the mission, but it would not be considered wise to do so, given that also a large majority of the Dutch population is against the mission.

EU-Digest