EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

In late October, the EU NAVFOR Flagship conducted a port visit to the Seychelles. Rear-Admiral Philippe Coindreau, EU NAVFOR Force Commander, met with Mr. Joel Morgan, Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Transport of the Republic of Seychelles.

The Minister and some Coast-Guard Officers were welcomed on board the EU NAVFOR French Flagship. The Force Commander gave Mr. Joel Morgan an update on the operation, focusing on recent disruptions conducted close to the Seychelles. Minister Morgan expressed his strong determination to fight against this major threat to the Seychelles and to improve the cooperation between the country and EU NAVFOR.

EU NAVFOR Force Commander also met Mr. Lalanne-Lousteau, General Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Mr. Govinden, Attorney General.

During successive visits and meetings, local partners, diplomats and industry leaders, have all declared their deep concern over the problem of piracy and have praised EU NAVFOR for its action.

This port visit coincided with the visit of Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, the Republic of Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister, to the EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood, UK) on 28 October.

At this occasion,Rear-Admiral Thomas Ernst, EU NAVFOR Deputy Commander, said: “EU NAVFOR welcomes the efforts of the Republic of Seychelles, who are directly confronted by the affects of piracy in the region, to take part in the fight against these illegal activities. EU NAVFOR supports regional initiatives to tackle this problem and I know that the European Union in its entirety is working very hard fighting the root causes of piracy in the region.”