Ambassadors of EU Member States meeting within the Political and Security Committee decided on Monday to appoint the Czech diplomat Jan Vyčítal as Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya).

Vyčítal will succeed Natalina Cea as of 1 January 2024, and his mandate will run until 30 June 2025.

Jan Vyčítal is a Czech civil servant and diplomat, who has worked at senior level for more than 20 years, and currently serves as Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Tunisia, with accreditation for Libya. He previously served as Czech Ambassador to Iraq and to Libya.

EUBAM Libya was launched in May 2013. The mission contributes to enhancing the capacity of the relevant Libyan authorities and agencies in the management of Libya’s borders; fighting cross-border crime, including human trafficking and migrant smuggling; and countering terrorism.

EUBAM Libya provides technical advice, and capacity-building activities at the operational and technical levels, including projects and specialised training. Furthermore, the mission provides strategic advice where requested by the Libyan authorities.