During a recent port visit of the EUROMARFOR Flagship ESPS “Galicia” to Port Victoria in the Seychelles, the Force Commander, Rear Admiral Gómez Fernández de Córdoba, and the Flagship Commanding Officer, Captain Fernández-Pintado Muñoz-Rojas, took the opportunity to meet several civil authorities and military representatives of the Republic of Seychelles, as well as the EU delegation.

The first meeting of the port visit was with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, represented by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Barry Faure. To the meeting also assisted the Spanish Ambassador to Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Fernández-Palacios Martínez.

“Thank you for the work developed up to date. Operation ATALANTA is truly important for Seychelles. Fight against piracy remains as an important concern for the Seychelles. We are aware that EU ships presence in Indian Ocean increases maritime security in the region”, said the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Continuing with the visit, and during the morning of the 15^th June, the FCdr and the Galicia’s CO visited the Minister of Blue Economy, H.E. Mr. Jean-Paul Adam. The Minister thanked the support provided by the EU Naval Forces to the Seychelles.

The 16^th June, Rear Admiral Gómez and Captain Fernández-Pintado, together with the Spanish Ambassador Fernández-Palacios, paid a visit to the President of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. James A. Michel. The EUNAVFOR delegation commanded by the FCdr, then visited the Vice-president of the Republic of Seychelles, H.E. Mr. Danny. The President and the Vice-president of the Republic of Seychelles recognized the efforts made by Operation ATALANTA in the fight against piracy and the contribution of Spain since the first stage of the mission.

On the 17^th June, the Spanish commission paid a courtesy call to the Chief of the Seychelles Defense Forces, H.E. Brigadier Mr. Leopold Payet and to the Commanding officer of the Seychelles coast Guard, Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. Simon Dine. Finally, they had a meeting with the French EU Ambassador to the Seychelles, H.E. Lionel Majésté-Larrouy.

The EU Flagship ESPS “Galicia” organized a reception on board during the evening of the 15^th June, hosted by the Spanish Ambassador and the FCdr. The most part of the dignitaries visited by the FCdr and Galicia’s CO assisted to the reception. Among the authorities invited to the reception, the FCdr and Galicia’s CO had the honor to welcome the founding President of the Republic of Seychelles, Sir James R. Manchann, and the different Ministers, Ambassadors to Seychelles and other authorities of this Republic.