BRUSSELS - A new extension is likely for the EU's Operation Sophia mission to fight human trafficking in the Mediterranean, said sources in Brussels.
The extension discussion, which took place Thursday during a meeting of the EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC), is considered preliminary.
Operation Sophia has been operative for five months without naval assets and is set to expire September 30.
It appears unlikely that the disagreement over the question of migrant relocation among EU member states, which is what led to the suspension of naval assets for the mission, will be resolved ahead of that deadline.
A European Commission spokesperson said "discussions have started" and member states will "make their decisions" before the end of September.
