EU Naval Force - Somalia
Operation ATALANTA

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne commended the efforts of all those involved in helping to combat piracy in Seychelles during visits made yesterday to meet representatives from EU NAVFOR and the Seychelles Coastguard.

Following the Royal Party’s return from Praslin, where they met members of the local community and visited the Vallee de Mai, The Princess and Vice Admiral Laurence were accompanied by Minister for Home Affairs, Environment and Transport, Mr. Joel Morgan and the British High Commissioner, Mr. Mathew Forbes, to a purpose built EU NAVFOR aircraft hangar at Seychelles International Airport.

“EU NAVFOR is very honoured to welcome today Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Laurence as part of their visit to Seychelles. Seychelles is one of our most important partners in the region and we’re proud of the work we’re doing together to fight against the piracy threat in the Indian Ocean. I am working hand to hand with the Seychelles Coastguard, to ensure our forces operate jointly every day when in the vicinity of the Archipelago,” said Lieutenant Commander Richard Sturman.

On arrival the Royal Party were given a briefing on EU NAVFOR’s operations by Luc Audoore Detachment Commander (EU NAVFOR Luxembourg Detachment) outlining the co-operation between the EU nations and Seychelles to combat piracy. The briefing included details of the joint EU NAVFOR /Seychelles operation to rescue seven Seychelles fishermen on 19 and 20 November.

“Today we had the chance to visit the joint facilities at the airport that EU NAVFOR have and The Princess Royal had the opportunity to see for herself the types of work done and how the element of air surveillance contributes to the overall efforts against piracy. I think she has gained a greater understanding of the entire work done, which involves a very close partnership between the Seychelles Peoples Defence Forces and EU NAVFOR,” said Minister Morgan.

Not only is Seychelles a strong partner for EU NAVFOR on counter-piracy operations, but it also plays a major role on the legal aspects: eleven Somali pirates who were transferred by EU NAVFOR under the standing agreement were recently sentenced to six years each by the Seychelles Court.