On Thursday 18 June 2015, officers and sailors from Operation Atalanta flagship, ESPS Galicia, were invited to attend the Seychelles National Day celebrations. EU Naval Force attendees included the Force Commander; Rear Admiral Gómez Fernández de Córdoba and 12 of the ship’s crew.
The ceremony included the hoisting of the national flag followed by a military parade at the football stadium ‘Stad Linite’ in the capital Victoria. The President of the Republic of Seychelles, His Excellency James Alix Michel, took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the European Union for helping to deter piracy in the Indian Ocean.
The Force Commander commented after the event “It has been an important moment for the strong relationship between Operation Atalanta and the Seychelles. Our presence here today represents the on-going support to the Seychelles government and society. We are helping to develop the maritime capacities of the Seychelles Coast Guard and all their maritime agencies.”