On 29 January 2013, during a port visit to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Rear Admiral Pedro García de Paredes, the Force Commander of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), welcomed Rear Admiral Bob Tarrant on board his flagship ESPS Méndez Núnez. This is the first meeting between both admirals since Rear Admiral Tarrant took command of Operation Atalanta on 16 January.
During the visit, Rear Admiral García de Paredes also invited the ambassadors of Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, the EU Delegation, British Deputy High Commissioner, Spanish Deputy Chief of Mission, Chief of the Tanzanian Navy, together with the Chief of the Tanzanian Maritime Police for lunch onboard his flagship. Following the lunch, Rear Admiral Tarrant and Rear Admiral García de Paredes held discussions with General Omar, Chief of the Tanzanian Navy about Operation Atalanta – the EU’s counter piracy mission, and regional efforts to fight the piracy menace.
The day previously, Rear Admiral García de Paredes and Commander Azpeitia, Méndez Núnez, the Commanding Officer of ESPS Méndez Núnez, had paid an official visit to the Tanzanian Navy Headquarters, where they met General Omar.
Speaking about the visit to Tanzania, Rear Admiral García de Paredes said: “I was very pleased to have on board the EU ambassadors, delegations and Tanzanian maritime representatives. Piracy remains a significant threat and this visit has been an ideal opportunity to enhance regional co-operation and co-ordination in the fight against piracy. I am proud of the men and women of the European Union Naval Force who work tirelessly to fight piracy off Somalia”.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 4, 2013; Image: EU NAVFOR