During ESPS Galicia’s recent port visit to the Seychelles, the Operation Atalanta Force Commander, Rear Admiral Gómez Fernández de Córdoba, visited key government officials.  The Force Commander called upon the office of the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Blue Economy and the Seychelles Defence Force. The visit ended with a courtesy call on the French EU Ambassador to the Seychelles, His Excellency Lionel Majésté-Larrouy.

Visits such as this help to strengthen ties with the European Union’s regional partners     who are working together to deter and disrupt piracy in the Indian Ocean.  It concluded with a reception, jointly hosted with the Spanish Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Miguel Ángel Fernández-Palacios Martínez, on board the ESPS Galicia.

Speaking about the visit, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Barry Faure, stated ‘Thank you Admiral de Córdoba for your work so far.  Operation Atalanta is truly important to the Seychelles people, with the presence of EU warships in the Indian Ocean helping to strengthen maritime security for the region.”