On Thursday 22 November 2018, EU NAVFOR Force Commander welcomed the Puntland Minister of Maritime Transport, Ports and Maritime Crime Prevention, Saeed Mohamed Rageh on board Atalanta’s Flagship ESPS Castilla.

During the meeting an exchange of views occurred on maritime security related issues. Rear Admiral Alfonso Perez de Nanclares informed the Minister on Operation Atalanta mandate extension and provided an update on recent activities. The Force Commander highlighted in particular the results of an operation conducted in October, where EU NAVFOR supported an UNFAO programme aimed to enhance the capabilities of local fishing communities in Puntland. The Minister thanked Atalanta for its continued commitment, and informed the Force Commander about the efforts taken by Puntland to enhance its own maritime security efforts.

The Minister was accompanied by high-level representatives from the Bossasso Port Maritime Police Unit as well as the Puntland Maritime Police Force. Discussions took place to increase the cooperation between Puntland security forces and EU NAVFOR warships and aircraft.

In addition, the Port Manager of Bosasso took the opportunity to inform about ongoing developments in the port. EU NAVFOR Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachments regularly interact with local port authorities in Bosasso as part of their protection duties on board World Food Programme (WFP) vessels. Since 2008, EU NAVFOR has overseen the safe delivery of almost 1.8M tonnes of humanitarian aid into Somalia. Operation Atalanta will soon mark its 10^th year of continued presence in the Indian Ocean.