Dignitaries join forces to mark the conclusion of Cutlass 19.2 aboard Italian vessel |18 November 2019
Dr Confait addressing guests at the reception (Photo: Jude Morel)
As the Cutlass 19.2 exercise came to a close on Saturday morning (see story on page 1), high-ranking officials and dignitaries joined the exercise participants onboard the Italian-owned ITS Antonio Marceglia, for a grand reception hosted by the ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Mauritius and Seychelles Vincent Degert and Force Commander of EU Navfor Somalia of Operation Atlanta Armande P. Simi on Saturday evening.
The reception commenced with a brief ceremony in which Ambassador Degert reaffirmed the EU’s commitment towards maintaining peace and stability in the region and by thanking all partners who collaborate with the EU and Seychelles to keep the region safe.
He extended gratitude on behalf of all EU partners, to the Seychelles judicial system in particular for its efforts in the battle against piracy.
“A special thanks to the government of Seychelles for their support towards this endeavour does not stop here. The Seychelles judiciary has played a critical role in successfully prosecuting persons involved with piracy,” Ambassador Degert stated.
Ambassador Degert further made mention of the numerous threats in the region and to maritime security including drug trafficking, piracy and illegal fishing among others, noting it is essential that forces continue to collaborate and work alongside each other “with the clear objective of reinforcing the long-term stability of Africa and maintaining peace in the Indian Ocean”.
Principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Marina Confait, spoke of the invaluable alliance that exists between the EU, United States of America, Canada, Seychelles and other regional countries.
“Seychelles considers the EU a valuable partner in our shared efforts to bring maritime safety and security to the forefront of all global dialogues. As we reflect on our active participation in this year’s Cutlass Express 19.2, I have consulted that it will help improve our combined maritime law enforcement capacity, and promote both national and regional security and stability in East Africa,” she said.
“It is with deep appreciation that we acknowledge the positive response to our call from our partners such as the EU. Today, we are proud that the arduous task undertaken by our countries has culminated into shared vision and mutual drive to tackle crimes perpetrated in our seas, and in an effort to keep our ocean safe and secure,” Dr Confait stated, expressing her gratitude to EU partners whose operations have culminated into the successful apprehension and prosecution of pirates, who were transferred into the custody of Seychelles.
Dr Confait proceeded to thank the US and EU partners for this initiative and the involvement of military participants in the region, and for support provided by the different forces.
Force Commander R.A Armando P. Simi also addressed the invitees noting that Operation Atalanta has been in operation in the Western Indian Ocean for almost 11 years.
“Piracy has not completely eradicated and new maritime threats have emerged. It was just this April that our forces, under the command of my predecessor, reacted to a piracy incident 500 kilometres from the coast of Somalia and successfully detained five suspected pirates which have been transferred here, to the Seychelles islands in order to face trial in court. Our relationship with our international partners is crucial to achieving our common objective,” he said.
Speaking of the Cutlass Express exercise, Force Commander Simi said the activity was an opportunity to reinforce existing relations between the partners and to build-capacity and to build a fruitful pathway towards future cooperation.
Guests were then treated to an Italian buffet held on the deck of the newly commissioned Italian vessel, while they mingled and checked out the equipment onboard the vessel including the helicopters and some of the technology housed onboard.
Laura Pillay
