22/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 21 April, the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union called for “a strong international effort” to combat acts of piracy in Somalia, which, it says, could affect humanitarian aid for the country. In a press release, it “condemns the recent acts of piracy perpetrated by Somali pirates”, following the attack on a French yacht then the boarding of a Spanish tuna vessel, and expresses “its deep concern for the violent nature of those acts”. The Slovenian Presidency believes that strong international effort is required if an adequate solution to the problem is to be found. This effort, it says, should be made in close cooperation with other international players, particularly the United Nations. (L.C.)