ITS Andrea Doria, EUROMARFOR Task Group flagship, has completed her visit to Dubai.  The Italian Navy destroyer was in port to participate in the UAE counter-piracy week between Monday 27 and Friday 31 October.

The warship hosted a number of official events, including a visit by the Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Mr Maciej Popowski.

On Wednesday 29 October the EU Naval Force’s Deputy Operation Commander, Brigadier General Dick Swijgman, visited the flagship and received an operational update. Additionally, a delegation from the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), currently chaired by the European Union, was hosted aboard.  The delegation was briefed on the EU Naval Force’s progress in fighting piracy.

On Thursday 30 October Mr Maciej Popowski, the Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr Maurizio Lupi, as well as several EU Member State Ambassadors, took the opportunity to visit ITS Andrea Doria. The EU representatives were given a comprehensive briefing on counter-piracy operations in the region.

During the visit, the EU Force Commander and EUROMARFOR Group Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, emphasized that “The European Union should be rightly proud of their men and women who are working together to combat Somali piracy under the EU flag.”

Mr Popowski stressed the positive impacts of Operation Atalanta in the region and reiterated that the EU will continue its counter-piracy efforts as the threat from Somali piracy remains.