EUCAP Nestor and EU Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta) recently held a series of meetings with state government officials and local leaders in Bosasso, in Somalia’s Puntland state.
They discussed the maritime security situation off the Somali coast and the importance of keeping down pirate attacks. EUCAP Nestor said the meetings were very constructive and fruitful, adding: “We now have even better understanding of the situation in Puntland and where the support of EU Missions would be required the most. We are all in this together and these meetings are a great example of the good cooperation between the local leadership and the EU Missions.”
Operation Atalanta’s Force Commander said he was pleased with the engagement with the local authorities. “Cooperation and coordination is crucial between the EU organizations, but also with key Somali officials and security agencies. It is only by working together that the threat of piracy might one day become a distant memory,” he said.
Alongside the meetings, members of the Bosasso Port Police trained with Dutch sailors at sea and take part in exercises designed to develop search skills of suspicious vessels. Such training is an important part of Operation Atalanta’s commitment to strengthen cooperation and capabilities of regional partners.
Source: MFA Ethiopia
