On Thursday 2 August 2012, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, visited the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) counter piracy operation headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood, UK. She was welcomed to the OHQ by Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, who is the Operation Commander to the EU NAVFOR.
During the visit, Rear Admiral Potts updated the High Representative on EU NAVFOR’s counter piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, together with how, in line with the EU’s Comprehensive Approach to Somalia, EU NAVFOR continues to provide support to local and regional maritime capacity building programmes.
Speaking about the visit, Rear Admiral Potts said “We are always very pleased to invite High Representative Ashton to the Operation Headquarters. Over the last 12 months we have witnessed considerable change, not least the reduction in piracy success, but also a greater focus on strengthening EU relationships with regional states and assisting them with training their forces in maritime security. The EU NAVFOR stands ready to provide further support to continue this success.”