EU NAVFOR COMMANDER MEETS CHINESE DEFENCE ADVISOR TO THE EU

Jan 17, 2019 - 15:13
Relations with partners are important for counter-piracy operations. Meetings and exercises increase understanding between maritime forces operating in the Gulf of Aden and around the Horn of Africa.

This week, in Brussels, the Operation Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia and his staff met with the Chinese Defence Advisor to the EU. They discussed further cooperation and coordination between the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) and EU NAVFOR, continuing to work together on counter-piracy security in the Indian Ocean.

2018 saw EU NAVFOR and the PLA(N) cooperate on exercises and counter-piracy operations. The PLA(N) responded to escort requests sent out by EU NAVFOR on behalf of WFP vessels, carried out casualty evacuation exercises with EU NAVFOR ships, and in 2017 a boarding team from the PLA(N) freed the crew of the MV OS-35 after a piracy event. This level of cooperation and collaboration bears witness to the strong operational relationship enjoyed between EU and Chinese naval forces.

Coordinated efforts between EU NAVFOR and other international maritime organisations are vital to ensure the free flow and safe passage of commerce around the Horn of Africa.

Photos are from PLA(N) and EU combined events which took place in 2018.

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