EU hails Luxembourg plane on maritime patrol milestone
British high commissioner and current holder of the local EU presidency, Lindsay Skoll, has congratulated the Luxembourg Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) detachment for recently completing 5,000 hours of patrolling the waters around Seychelles.
Operating under the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta, the Luxembourg MPRA has played a key role in the EU’s support for Seychelles’ anti-piracy and maritime safety operations.
The 885 sorties which made up the 5,000 operational flight hours were logged between September 2009 and July 2013 and provided invaluable intelligence for counter piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, including actively disrupting 34 piracy activities.
“The EU-Seychelles partnership has made a tremendous impact on maritime safety in the western Indian Ocean. Piracy attacks in the region are now at their lowest level since 2009. The dedication and expertise shown by the Luxembourg crews have been superb,” said Ms Skoll on a recent visit to the MPRA base at the Pointe Larue International Airport.
She warned, however, that it is too early to declare an end to the threat of piracy in the region.
“We must be careful not to celebrate too soon, and also recognise that in no small part the reduction in piracy is due to the ongoing successful maritime security operations of both the Seychelles and its international partners assisting in the region; the Luxembourg commitment based here is an excellent example. The situation on land in Somalia is improving, but we must not allow piracy to resurge or criminal elements to profit from the remnants of instability.”
In addition to its anti-piracy work the Luxembourg MPRA has also played a vital role in four search and rescue operations, which helped save over 40 lives.
Operating under the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation Atalanta, the Luxembourg MPRA has played a key role in the EU’s support for Seychelles’ anti-piracy and maritime safety operations.
The 885 sorties which made up the 5,000 operational flight hours were logged between September 2009 and July 2013 and provided invaluable intelligence for counter piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, including actively disrupting 34 piracy activities.
“The EU-Seychelles partnership has made a tremendous impact on maritime safety in the western Indian Ocean. Piracy attacks in the region are now at their lowest level since 2009. The dedication and expertise shown by the Luxembourg crews have been superb,” said Ms Skoll on a recent visit to the MPRA base at the Pointe Larue International Airport.
She warned, however, that it is too early to declare an end to the threat of piracy in the region.
“We must be careful not to celebrate too soon, and also recognise that in no small part the reduction in piracy is due to the ongoing successful maritime security operations of both the Seychelles and its international partners assisting in the region; the Luxembourg commitment based here is an excellent example. The situation on land in Somalia is improving, but we must not allow piracy to resurge or criminal elements to profit from the remnants of instability.”
In addition to its anti-piracy work the Luxembourg MPRA has also played a vital role in four search and rescue operations, which helped save over 40 lives.
Forrás: www.nation.sc