EU NAVFOR is encouraging key partners in the region to coordinate counter-piracy activities and to share information about regional maritime security. The Commanding Officer of EU NAVFOR’s Spanish warship ESPS Meteoro invited civil and military Malagasy authorities on board during a port visit to Antisiranana, Madagascar to develop the partnership and cooperation between the two naval forces.
The visit, which took place on Saturday 26th May, coincided with Spain’s annual Armed Forces Day. The crew of the Meteoro celebrated with a ceremony on the flight deck, involving a tribute to the Spanish Flag and a remembrance of those killed in the service of Spain, and a reception on board with distinguished guests from Madagascar. Lieutenant Commander Juan Miguel Evangelista Pintado praised his crew for their hard work over the previous months in deterring pirates in the Western Indian Ocean by keeping Meteoro vigilant and responsive to suspected pirate activity.
On the afternoon of the 28th May a subsequent reception was held in honour of the Spanish Navy, also attended by the civil and military authorities of Madagascar and by the Commander and Officers of the Meteoro. During the event, the Malagasy Navy gave their appreciation for the training provided by the crew of the Meteoro and celebrated the partnership fostered between the two navies.
Cooperation and high level engagements of this kind are vital to developing mutual understanding and coordination of effort between organisations, and to enable regional partners to work together to improve maritime security and counter the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea.
The visit, which took place on Saturday 26th May, coincided with Spain’s annual Armed Forces Day. The crew of the Meteoro celebrated with a ceremony on the flight deck, involving a tribute to the Spanish Flag and a remembrance of those killed in the service of Spain, and a reception on board with distinguished guests from Madagascar. Lieutenant Commander Juan Miguel Evangelista Pintado praised his crew for their hard work over the previous months in deterring pirates in the Western Indian Ocean by keeping Meteoro vigilant and responsive to suspected pirate activity.
On the afternoon of the 28th May a subsequent reception was held in honour of the Spanish Navy, also attended by the civil and military authorities of Madagascar and by the Commander and Officers of the Meteoro. During the event, the Malagasy Navy gave their appreciation for the training provided by the crew of the Meteoro and celebrated the partnership fostered between the two navies.
Cooperation and high level engagements of this kind are vital to developing mutual understanding and coordination of effort between organisations, and to enable regional partners to work together to improve maritime security and counter the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea.