EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

On 30 March, Ambassador Joseph Silva, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Djibouti, visited the Spanish Air Force Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance (MPRA) Detachment in Djibouti.

 The Commanding Officer of the Spanish Detachment, Lieutenant Colonel Rafael Saiz Quevedo, welcomed Ambassador Silva who participated in a full operational flying-day on board the P-3 aircraft. When the Ambassador was back on the ground, he addressed the Spanish airmen and airwomen, highlighting the contribution the MPRA Detachment makes to Operation Atalanta. He also expressed the importance for EU diplomats to have the opportunity to experience first-hand the day-to-day work of military units assigned to the Operation.

 The EU Delegations are in 139 countries around the world and they play a key role in presenting, explaining and implementing the EU’s foreign policies. Operation Atalanta staff work closely with their EU counterparts in the region to ensure the mandate to deter and disrupt piracy can be best maintained.