20/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Union and Oman conducted a joint naval exercise in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Salalah on 19 October, the European External Action Service announced on Wednesday 20. The exercise involved naval assets from Operation Atalanta and the Royal Navy of Oman. Both sides practised naval communication, complex tactical evolutions at sea and a search and rescue operation. After the exercise, the flagship of Operation Atalanta, frigate Victoria, paid a port call on Salalah. “This EU engagement with Oman is part of the EU’s efforts to strengthen its partnership with the Gulf countries”, explained the EEAS in its statement, adding that the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region called for increased joint activities to promote maritime security in the region. (CG)