According to this article, representatives of theEuropean Union and the Government of Somalia met on the flagship ESPS Galicia in Mogadishu to talk about the role of the EU Naval Forces currently policing Somali waters and recent piracy incidents that have occurred off the coast of Somalia.
Many major naval officials were in attendance at the high-level meeting including EU TM mission CDR, Brig. Gen Maurizio Morena, EUCAP Somalia head of mission Ms. Maria-Cristina Stepanescu, EU Navfor OpCDR, Maj. Gen Robert Magowan and EU Navor FCDR, and Rr. Adm Rafael Fernandez-Pintado
The Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire discussed the need for cooperation not only in thwarting piracy but also combating illegal fishing in Somalia and requested training for a Somali marine force that can take over the patrol. In response, the EU Ambassador to Somalia, Veronique Lorenzo, underlined the support of the EU to the security sector in Somalia. In addition, Major General Robert Magowan, the EU Naval Force Operations Commander, Operation Atalanta declared that his forces have been active in recent months and reinforced the EU Naval Force commitment to suppress and deter piracy.
The EU Navfor has the mandate to protect vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP), African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other vulnerable shipping, deter and disrupt piracy and armed robbery at sea, monitor fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and support other EU missions and international organisations working to strengthen maritime security and capacity in the region.
