The flagship of the EU Naval Force, ITS Andrea Doria, is visiting Dubai in support of the UAE Counter-Piracy Week.

The UAE Counter-Piracy Week begins with the working groups and plenary session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), which is currently chaired by the European Union.

Alessandro Mariani representing the Deputy Secretary General of the EU’s European External Action Service,Mr Maciej Popowski, who is chairman of the CGPCS,  visited the EU flagship and was hosted by the Force Commander of EU Naval Force, Rear Admiral Guido Rando.

The visit was an opportunity for Alessandro Mariani to attend a briefing on Operation Atalanta, the European Union’s counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia and, along with Rear Admiral Rando, answer questions from the media during a press conference held on board the Italian Destroyer, which was berthed in Port Rashid.

Speaking during the event Alessandro Mariani stated “I am very pleased to have Rear Admiral Rando and the EU Naval Force flagship in Dubai during the UAE Counter-Piracy Week. The CGPCS and UAE Counter-Piracy Conferences are very important events in the continued international fight against piracy off the Coast of Somalia. The attendance of the flagship demonstrates the EU’s continued commitment to combatting piracy in the region.”

“The EU Naval Force remains committed to combatting piracy off the Coast of Somalia and is working with the Combined Maritime Forces CTF-151, NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield and the independent deployers to ensure merchant ships remain safe from pirate attack in the region. This important international conference and the CGPCS further demonstrates the commitment of the international community.” commented Rear Admiral Guido Rando following the event.