"It is a sad day in Rota, because we are losing our Montenegrin representation in the OHQ."
Chief of Staff, Captain Luis Diaz Puente
On 30 May 2019, Operation Atalanta bid farewell to Montenegrin Lieutenant Danijel Radonjic. Lt. Radonjic worked with EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta for one year, beginning his post in Northwood, UK and finishing in Rota, Spain.
"Working for Operation Atalanta this year has been an amazing experience
— first in the UK, and now in Spain," said Lt. Radonjic in a farewell ceremony in Rota. "I got to experience two very different, beautiful cultures."
Montenegro military forces have been an integral component of Operation Atalanta since 2010, when their military forces first deployed to Headquarters in London. Later, in 2013, Montenegrin forces began to protect World Food Programme (WFP) vessels as part of Military Armed Security Teams, known as Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachments (AVPD). Today, Montenegro — along with Lithuania, Finland, Serbia, Croatia and the Netherlands — continues to provide soldiers for the AVPDs, demonstrating their commitment to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.
Montenegro military forces have been an integral component of Operation Atalanta since 2010.
WFP vessels provide vital aid to the people of Somalia, and having the Montenegro military fully integrated into Operation Atalanta provides aid vessels the maritime protection they need against the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea.
Operation Atalanta Chief of Staff, Captain Luis Diaz Puente presented Lt. Radonjic a medal in Rota on Thursday morning.
"It is a sad day in Rota, because we are losing our Montenegrin representation in the OHQ," said Captain Diaz Puente.
In regards to a new Montenegrin contribution to the OHQ, Operation Atalanta hopes to receive a replacement for Lt. Radonjic in the near future. EU NAVFOR remains at the centre of a complex network of counter-piracy effort off the Horn of Africa. Through Operation Atalanta, EU NAVFOR coordinates supports and partners with many organisations, independent deployers and regional stakeholders to ensure the freedom of navigation and security throughout the Area.