EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

On 21 May, EU NAVFOR Operations Interagency SO, Lt CDR Diego Canovas-Canovas delivered a presentation regarding the strategic impact of EU missions and operations. Lt CDR Canovas-Canovas delivered the presentation in the context of “The Challenges of Securing Maritime Areas for the European Union,” a panel organized by the European Security and Defense College (ESDC) in Constanta (RO). The audience was comprised of several Members States and members of the European Union External Action Service (EEAS).

Lt CDR Canovas-Canovas explained the current state of piracy in the Horn of Africa, as well as the ongoing militarization of the region. He also discussed EU NAVFOR’s strategic relations with the shipping industry and the risk assessment process, which is conducted regularly at EU NAVFOR OHQ.

The audience members posed some questions regarding the presentation, most of which pertained to EU NAVFOR’s strategic relations with the shipping industry. Lt CDR Canovas-Canovas provided details on how EU NAVFOR provides regular feedback to flag States and merchant companies, which serves as a highly valuable support to Best Management Practice compliance. Also, EU NAVFOR answered questions about the recent Transfer of Authority from Northwood (UK) to Rota (Spain), and emphasized that the principles of “continuity” and integrity” are what allowed for EU NAVFOR’s successful response to the piracy incident of April 23.