The Italian frigate "Carlo Margottini", engaged in Operation Atalanta, for the fight against piracy in the waters of the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean, has made a logistical stop in the capital of the Seychelles.

From May 1 to 3, the Italian frigate "Carlo Margottini", engaged as a flag unit in the European Operation Atalanta for the fight against piracy in the waters of the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean, has made a logistical stop in the capital of the Seychelles, Port Victoria.

Collaboration between the European Forces of the Operation Atalanta and local authorities.

This occasion has allowed us to consolidate the collaborative relationships between the European forces of the Operation Atalanta and the local authorities. The Force Commander visited the Regional Center for Operations Coordination (RCOC), where he was welcomed by the Director, Col. George Adeline. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Director, the Seychelles Coast Guard Commander and a representative of the United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with whom the recent Regional Agreement signed by the Seychelles on April 30 was discussed.

This agreement, signed during the "Ministerial Conference" organized by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in Mauritius, focuses on maritime security in the areas of Southern Africa, the East and the Indian Ocean (ESA-IO) and will allow the Seychelles and the signatory States to increase and share the "situational awareness" in the maritime domain for a more effective fight against piracy, illicit trafficking and, more generally, the freedom of navigation.

In this perspective, the guiding role that the Seychelles Government has decided to interpret had a full and appreciable support from the European Union as in line with the all-encompassing approach to combating piracy.

Official meetings

Subsequently, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Force Commander thanked the Maritime General Director and Consular Affairs, Mr. Christian Faure, the Director General for International Cooperation and Regional Integration and the Third Secretary for Maritime Affairs of the logistical support that the Republic of Seychelles constantly offers to ships of the Operation Atalanta, but above all for the application of the legal agreement (so-called "legal finish") that allows the delivery of alleged pirates and their judgment in the courts of the Seychelles following the capture at sea, as occurred last November with the 6 presumed Somali pirates captured by the Italian frigate "Fasan" and currently subjected to the criminal proceedings for the crime of piracy.

Other important protocol meetings were held at the British High Commissioner, H.E. Caron Röhsler and with the French Ambassador, representative of the EU, H.E. Lionel Majeste-Laurrouy, both actively engaged to support the growth of the Seychelles for maritime safety.

Training activities in favor of the Seychelles Marine Police and the Seychelles Coast Guard

During the stay, training activities were also carried out for military personnel of the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, the Seychelles Marine Police and the Seychelles Coast Guard who reached the Frigate "Margottini", at anchor in the waters in front of the port of Victoria.

Issues related to the operations necessary to combat piracy have been addressed, in particular have been shown basic search techniques, first aid and illustrated preventive measures in case of Improvised Explosive Disposal (IED).

The indoctrination ended with the analysis of the evaluation process of the information acquired during the inspection phase of a unit suspected of illegal activities (Visit, Board, Search, Seize VBSS).

Protocol visits and training for the Seychelles' military were therefore an excellent opportunity

to exchange know-how, strengthen the bonds of international cooperation from the point of view of Maritime Security and guarantee a constant control of the phenomenon of piracy and the freedom of navigation of maritime traffic in the Indian Ocean.