EU NAVFOR celebrates Europe Day in Mogadishu

May 14, 2018 - 16:07
The Force Commander of EU NAVFOR’s Op Atalanta, Rear Admiral Simone Malvagna, joined EU delegates and the Somali Prime Minister H.E. Hassan Ali Khaire in Mogadishu to celebrate Europe Day.

The Europe Day event, organised by the European Delegation in Somalia (EU Del), took place on 9th May at the EU Compound in the International Airport of Mogadishu. Sister missions EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia based in Mogadishu joined EU NAVFOR, highlighting the integrated approach to operations in Somalia adopted by the EU as part of the Common Security and Defence Policy. This is based on the sharing of intent and objectives to develop capacity and security and reach a lasting regional solution.

May 9th is the anniversary of the Schuman declaration, which laid the foundations of the EU. In 1950, Robert Schuman set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable. On this day in Europe and across the EU’s many operations and missions around the world, Europeans celebrate what makes the EU a great place in which to live, work and prosper. Each year thousands of people, take part in visits, debates, concerts and other events to mark the day.

Officers of EU NAVFOR talked with and displayed its activities to the people of Mogadishu to improve awareness of the continuing mission to deter piracy and maintain the freedom of maritime navigation around the Horn of Africa and off the coast of Somalia.

Close to the coast of Mogadishu, the ship’s company of EU NAVFOR’s Flagship ITS Carlo Margottini conducted Local Maritime Capacity Building activities with the Somali Police Force Maritime Police Unit (SPF-MPU), whilst also continuing her counter-piracy duties on Op Atalanta.

On 8th May the Force Commander had hosted an important meeting on board the Margottini off the Somali Coast between the heads of EU missions and the Somali Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid. General issues concerning the development of the country were addressed, in particular the urgent need for a maritime security force able to perform the traditional tasks of a Coast Guard to deal with maritime crime and enable Somalia to develop its ‘blue economy.’

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