EU extends counter-piracy operation off Somalia

EU Naval Force Provides Escort for World Food Programme Ship

Saturday, November 22, 2014

advertisements

BRUSSELS -- The EU Friday extended its counter-piracy Operation Atalanta in Somalia by two more years, until 12 December 2016.

The Operation's main focus is the protection of World Food Programme vessels delivering humanitarian aid to Somalia; and the deterrence, repression and disruption of piracy off the Somali coast, noted an EU statement.

Despite the significant progress that has been achieved off the coast of Somalia since the operation was launched in 2008, it is widely recognised that the threat from piracy remains; the pirate business model is fractured but not broken, it said.

"EU Operation Atalanta has considerably helped in reducing piracy off the Somali coast. We must maintain the pressure on pirates to help ensuring security in the Horn of Africa. This is in our mutual interest," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said. "The EU Naval Force will now also contribute to addressing the root causes of piracy," she added.

The common costs of the operation for the two years 2015 and 2016 are estimated at 14.7 million euro.
The operation is currently commanded by Major General Martin Smith of the British Royal Marines. Together with 21 EU member states, two non-EU countries currently contribute to Operation Atalanta

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online