Baroness Ashton, High Representative, accompanied by General Håkan Syrén, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, visited the EU NAVFOR Operational HQ in Northwood on 17 Aug 11 to receive an update on the current operations. The VIPs also met the staff from the 27 Nations which support the EU mission protecting shipping off Somalia and conducting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, the Somali Basin and western Indian Ocean.
Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, the Operation Commander, welcomed the visiting delegation and led a series of briefings, which focussed on the continually evolving EU operation and highlighted the 100% success of escorting World Food Programme ships with food-aid for Somalia.
Baroness Ashton commented: ”Operation EU NAVFOR/ATALANTA continues to be a highly successful mission, proving a great success in security and defence cooperation in both the EU and with our partner maritime coalitions. The operation continues to be a significant force for good in the region and is making a significant impact on the fight against piracy. The ships and personnel deployed by the European Union are delivering reassurance to the merchant shipping community and providing some much-needed stability in the region.”
EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.
Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, the Operation Commander, welcomed the visiting delegation and led a series of briefings, which focussed on the continually evolving EU operation and highlighted the 100% success of escorting World Food Programme ships with food-aid for Somalia.
Baroness Ashton commented: ”Operation EU NAVFOR/ATALANTA continues to be a highly successful mission, proving a great success in security and defence cooperation in both the EU and with our partner maritime coalitions. The operation continues to be a significant force for good in the region and is making a significant impact on the fight against piracy. The ships and personnel deployed by the European Union are delivering reassurance to the merchant shipping community and providing some much-needed stability in the region.”
EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Program (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). EUNAVFOR also protects vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, deters and disrupts piracy. EUNAVFOR finally monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.