Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, congratulated Major General Buster Howes (UK) on taking office today as the new EU Operation Commander of Operation EUNAVFOR-ATALANTA. Major General Buster Howes succeeds Rear Admiral Hudson, who was leading the operation since 3 June 2009.
Catherine Ashton said: "I would like to congratulate Major General Howes on taking office today as the new EU Operation Commander of Operation EUNAVFOR-ATALANTA, the EU's anti-piracy mission operating in the south of the Read Sea, the Gulf of Aden and part of the Indian Ocean. He may count on my full support and that of the European Union as a whole. I look forward to working with him for the continued success of the operation.
I also would like to warmly thank Rear Admiral Hudson for the excellent work he has done during his term as Operation Commander. His leadership and his competence have been fundamental in achieving the excellent results of EUNAVFOR . I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá (Spanish Navy), who left the operation, for his valuable contribution and to welcome his successor, Rear Admiral Thomas J. Ernst (German Navy), as the new Deputy Operation Commander. "I also want to take this opportunity to welcome the decision taken today by the EU Foreign Ministers to extend the mandate of EUNAVFOR-Atalanta for another two years from 13 December 2010. EUNAVFOR is an essential piece in the EU's global engagement in favour of security and stability in Somalia and the wider region."
Catherine Ashton said: "I would like to congratulate Major General Howes on taking office today as the new EU Operation Commander of Operation EUNAVFOR-ATALANTA, the EU's anti-piracy mission operating in the south of the Read Sea, the Gulf of Aden and part of the Indian Ocean. He may count on my full support and that of the European Union as a whole. I look forward to working with him for the continued success of the operation.
I also would like to warmly thank Rear Admiral Hudson for the excellent work he has done during his term as Operation Commander. His leadership and his competence have been fundamental in achieving the excellent results of EUNAVFOR . I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to Deputy Operation Commander Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá (Spanish Navy), who left the operation, for his valuable contribution and to welcome his successor, Rear Admiral Thomas J. Ernst (German Navy), as the new Deputy Operation Commander. "I also want to take this opportunity to welcome the decision taken today by the EU Foreign Ministers to extend the mandate of EUNAVFOR-Atalanta for another two years from 13 December 2010. EUNAVFOR is an essential piece in the EU's global engagement in favour of security and stability in Somalia and the wider region."