First of all, I want to highlight the honour and pride that I feel while commanding these 293 women and men who, day and night, continuously ensure that the maritime domain in the Horn of Africa region is increasingly safer for merchant shipping and allows that international humanitarian aid reaches the Somali people.
But is this an easy task? Not at all. In an area of operations that is the size of Western Europe, the operational flexibility and coordination with other forces present in the region are the key to success, resulting in the fact that the last act of piracy occurred in April 2019.
On the other hand, the maritime domain is used for many other illicit activities that are interconnected and sometimes supporting each other and serving as a source of funding for illegal organizations such as terrorist groups.
In this sequence, it was with great joy that I received the news that the European Council had decided to extend the mandate of Operation ATALANTA until 31st December 2022. But I was even more pleased to know that the EU now has a more holistic view of the operation, by adding secondary executive tasks, such as counter weapons and counter-narcotics smuggling, thereby contributing to the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo in Somalia and supporting the fight against terrorist groups.
This fact, in addition of representing a great challenge, is above all a great opportunity to strengthen the importance of EUNAVFOR as an international security actor, as well as to increase the safety of the region.
Regardless of all this, what I can guarantee is that TF465 will continue, day and night, to ensure the safety of those who sail these seas with the sole purpose of using it for legal purposes.
But is this an easy task? Not at all. In an area of operations that is the size of Western Europe, the operational flexibility and coordination with other forces present in the region are the key to success, resulting in the fact that the last act of piracy occurred in April 2019.
On the other hand, the maritime domain is used for many other illicit activities that are interconnected and sometimes supporting each other and serving as a source of funding for illegal organizations such as terrorist groups.
In this sequence, it was with great joy that I received the news that the European Council had decided to extend the mandate of Operation ATALANTA until 31st December 2022. But I was even more pleased to know that the EU now has a more holistic view of the operation, by adding secondary executive tasks, such as counter weapons and counter-narcotics smuggling, thereby contributing to the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo in Somalia and supporting the fight against terrorist groups.
This fact, in addition of representing a great challenge, is above all a great opportunity to strengthen the importance of EUNAVFOR as an international security actor, as well as to increase the safety of the region.
Regardless of all this, what I can guarantee is that TF465 will continue, day and night, to ensure the safety of those who sail these seas with the sole purpose of using it for legal purposes.