22/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - Spanish Defence Minister Carme Chacon stressed during a visit to Paris on Wednesday 20 January the need to launch the new CSDP mission for Somalia. Envisaged last October, the mission (EUTRA) would aim to train Somali security forces and take place in parallel to the EU-led maritime operation off the coast of Somalia (EU NAVFOR Atlanta). Chacon also took a stance in favour of better protection for fishing vessels and cargo shipping within EU operations zone. “Operation Atalanta does not yet fully work for fishing boats and cargo vessels. We must insist on the training of Somali security forces”, she said during a joint conference with her French counterpart, Hervé Morin. In her view, the Council could formally “launch the operation during the meeting in February” with a view to its activation on 1 May. The General Affairs Council, which is to meet on Monday 25 January, should however already come to an agreement of principle on launching the operation.(A.By./transl.jl)