On Sunday 02 December 2012, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta (EU NAVFOR), Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino, met with Somali and Djiboutian media on board the EU NAVFOR flagship, ITS San Giusto, off the Somali town of Berbera.
The event was the first opportunity for Somali journalists to meet the EU Naval Force Commander at sea. This embarkation provided the regional media with an opportunity to observe the capabilities of EU Naval Force units tackling piracy in the Gulf of Aden and in the Indian Ocean.
Furthermore, the journalists were briefed on mandate and objectives of Operation Atalanta in detail, as well as the wider EU approach to piracy off the Horn of Africa.
“This day at sea is an outstanding opportunity for us to explain our mission and capabilities,” said Rear Admiral Credendino , who added “ my message to the people in Somalia and the region is that we are here to work with them to combat piracy, which has had such a detrimental effect on their country”.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, December 04, 2012; Image: EU NAVFOR