European Union Naval Force Somalia - Operation Atalanta
EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta acts in accordance with United Nations Security Councils resolutions. The military operation was launched 8 December and has been extended by the European Council until December 2012. The EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta will pursue the following objectives:
- protect vessels of the World Food Programme, humanitarian aid and African Union Military Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) shipping
- help deter, prevent and repress acts of piracy and armed robbery
- protect vulnerable shipping
- monitor fishing activities off the coast of Somalia
The EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta consists of units from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. Contributions from third countries such as Norway are participating as well. Also, a number of Cypriot, Irish, Maltese and Finnish military personnel supplement the team at the Northwood Operation Headquarters.
