Saturday October 28, 2017
(MENAFN - Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) BRUSSELS, Oct 26 (KUNA) -- The EU's Political and Security Committee announced Thursday the appointment of Major General Charlie Stickland, a high-ranking military official in the British Royal Marines, as new Operation Commander of the Operation Atalanta. He will take up his duties on November 7.
The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Operation Atalanta contributes to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. The operation is part of the EU's comprehensive approach for a peaceful, stable and democratic Somalia, said the Committee in a statement.
The operation also protects vessels of the World Food Programme and other vulnerable shipping, monitors fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and supports other EU missions and programmes in the region, it added. (end) nk.gta