EUTM – Atalanta: Together for Countering Piracy

The two-star rear admiral said that his visit was aimed at underlining the importance of cooperation between the EUTM Somalia and the European Union Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta missions. Atalanta is one of the largest operations conducted by the EUNAVFOR off the coast of Somalia. Its success is shown by the fact that since the start of the mission in 2008, there have been no pirate attacks against ships carrying food aids, which have been escorted by the EU warships since the beginning of the mission. These warships have an important role in protecting the delivery ships, are able to take effective action to counter pirate attacks against other vessels, and have the further mission of monitoring the fishermen’s activity along the coast.

Rear Admiral Potts was accompanied by the commander of EUTM Somalia, Irish Col. Michael Beary, who briefed him in detail about the training program in Uganda. The admiral was introduced to the staff of the training base and the commanders of the training teams, including Lt. Péter Csatlós, the chief of the Hungarian–German international team.

After a tour of the camp, the admiral visited the training areas where he had opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the ongoing training in Uganda. At the end of his visit he praised the work done by the European trainers, including the Hungarian WO Tibor Maczó and SFC István Antal.

According to plans, the developing cooperation between the two missions may prove to be much more efficient in countering piracy off the Horn of Africa and making the region safer for maritime transport.