Rota, 22 March 2024 – From 16 to 18 the EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA Commander Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano paid a visit to Djibouti to meet with relevant national authorities and international representatives. The two main milestones of the visit were the participation in the Partnership dialogue EU – Djibouti and the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and the Djibouti Regional Training Centre (DRTC). The first one is an annual exchange of views on a range of issues between the EU and host countries, designed to help build strong institutions. Operation Commander Villanueva provided his inputs on the current situation in the Area of Operations.
The visit also marked the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and the Djibouti Regional Training Centre (DRTC). The Memorandum aims at structuring the exchange of information between the two parties on training activities and enhancing the capacity building activities between the two parties. “I am convinced the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant milestone in strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange among actors involved in maritime security efforts,” said Vice Admiral Villanueva in his words during the signature of the Memorandum.
Vice Admiral Villanueva also held different meetings with Djiboutian authorities: Minister of Defense, H.E. Hassan Omar Mohamed Bourhan and the Directeur General of National Security, Mr Hassan Saïd Khaireh. Discussions on strengthening relationships between Operation ATALANTA and Djiboutian authorities highlighting the great support that Djibouti provides.
During his time in Djibouti, the Operation Commander also had different meetings with international partners in the Area such as, the Commandant of the French Forces Deployed in Djibouti (FFDJ) (COMFOR) Major General Laurent Boïté, Deputy Commanding Officer at Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Rear Admiral Eric J. Anduze, and the Commander of the Deployment Support Group for Counter-piracy enforcement forces (DGPE) Colonel Suzuki Kosuke.
