Atalanta extended until the end of 2012

The Foreign Affairs Council on 14 June agreed to prolong the EU's anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR-Atalanta off the coast of Somalia until December 2012. The Union pursues a comprehensive approach to Somalia and piracy, based on regional ownership, to help establish a peaceful and secure environment in the Horn of Africa.

© European Union, 2010

Atalanta's task is to protect ships delivering humanitarian aid to Somalia, African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) shipments and other vulnerable vessels moving through the Gulf of Aden and the Somali Basin. Its naval patrols deter, disrupt and arrest pirates they encounter at sea.

Over the last two years, pirates have expanded the range of their attacks into the Central Indian Ocean. In response, the Council has also agreed in principle to expand Atalanta's area of operations east and south.

The root causes of piracy in East Africa lie on land. To address them, the current naval operation is combined with the EU training mission for Somalia (EUTM), which contributes to the strengthening of the Somali security forces. As the largest donor in Somalia, the EU also provides extensive development assistance to its population, supporting, for instance, the setting up of democratic institutions and access to education.

Further, on 14 June, Major General Buster Howes took over the command of Atalanta from Rear Admiral Peter Hudson.

More information:
Council press release 
EUNAVFOR Somalia 
EUTM Somalia