BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, July 3, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Political and Security Committee today appointed a new Operation Commander for the EU
Naval Force Somalia – EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA , which aims to prevent piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean.
Major General Martin Smith MBE, Commandant General Royal Marines and Commander United Kingdom Amphibious Forces, will take up the post of Operation Commander of Operation ATALANTA on 28 August. He will replace Rear Admiral Robert Tarrant, who has commanded the EU’s counter piracy mission since 16 January 2013.
Operation ATALANTA was launched in December 2008 under the Common Security and Defence Policy and is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach for a peaceful, stable and democratic Somalia. The operation also protects vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia and shipping of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
For more information, see the EUNAVFOR website.
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