Brussels, 21/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 21 January, the Swedish government took the decision to increase its commitment to Somalia by proposing to send the frigate HMS Carlscrona to join the EU naval operation, EU NAVFOR Atalanta, off the Somali coast. The vessel is scheduled to arrive in April and will operate for six months. During that period (until July), Sweden will assume command of the operation, taking over from Italy, and will provide the operation with a sea patrol plane. Swedish vessels took part in the operation in 2009 and Sweden's decision to re-engage reflects its support for Somalia and United Nations activities, the Swedish foreign minister has said. Atalanta's mandate and operational plan were recently amended to extend the area covered as far as the Seychelles archipelago and the waters to the east of the islands, and to include in its mandate a new mission, particularly backed by the Spanish government, to protect fishing vessels sailing in these waters. However, Sweden says that it is the protection of World Food Programme (WFP) vessels that has to remain the priority, given the serious humanitarian consequences of any disruption to the flow of this aid. Since the start of the operation, more than 50 WFP convoys have been protected, ensuring that more than 300,000 tonnes of food have got through to Somali citizens. (A.By./transl.rt)