Djibouti minister of foreign affairs, Ahmed Ali Silay, has received a delegation led by the EU's ambassador to Djibouti, Nicolas Delcroix to widely discuss about the anti piracy off Somalia´s coasts.
The European delegation included Gen Hakan Syren and Maj-Gen Buster Howes , commander in chief of the EU naval force Atalante. The minister who received the delegation expressed satisfaction with the excellent ties of cooperation between Djibouti and the EU, especially in the framework of the fight against naval piracy off the Somali coast.
Gen Hakan Syren, on his part, thanked the minister for the warm welcome he received and said he would meet Djibouti authorities to evaluate the current piracy situation and discuss the challenges that Djibouti and the EU must overcome in the fight against piracy, which is hampering the passage of ships in this part of the world.
The two officials agreed on the fact that the soldiers can only deal with the consequences of piracy. It is therefore essential, according to them, to rely on the strengthening of the capacities of regional players. In this framework, the EU committed itself to allow a training mission for Somali security forces with a view to helping the transitional government ensure the security and stability of the country. It is also an issue of developing the capacity of regional maritime authorities in the framework of the Djibouti code of conduct which is an initiative supported by the IOM.
The minister did not fail to also discuss the issue regarding the insurance of ships docking at the port of Djibouti. In fact, Ahmed Ali Silay requested his guests to intervene with regard to insurance companies, especially with Lloyd's so that they can review downwards the high premiums they have currently put in place due to an increase in acts of piracy. The prices are penalizing the port of Djibouti.
It is to be recalled that, Mohamed Iris Farah, the focal point on piracy, and Abass Elmi Ali, foreign affairs adviser, also took part in this meeting.
