Brussels, 15/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Brussels the day after a new series of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, EU foreign affairs ministers affirmed on Monday 15 September how they remained concerned by the situation in the country and off its coast. In its conclusions, the Council stated that on 26 May last, it had reaffirmed its commitment to a global approach that would help provide a lasting solution to a crisis that has political, security and humanitarian implications.
The Council deplored the sharp increase in recent attacks by pirates and pointed out that it had decided, as part of a contribution to implement Resolution 1816 of the Security Council: to establish, in the next few days, a coordination unit in Brussels with the task of supporting the surveillance and protection activities carried out by some Member States. The Council has also approved a strategic military option for a possible European Union naval operation to press ahead.
The Council welcomes the official signing by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) in Djibouti on 19 August 2008 of the peace agreement initialled by the two sides. It confirms that it is in favour of EU support for implementation of this agreement and welcomes the efforts made by the TFT and ARS for relaunching the political process under the supervision of the special representative for the UN Secretary General, Banki-Moon.
The conclusions reaffirm the Council's determination to strengthen EU support for the Somali police to fight against abuses and serious human rights violations and enable the TFG to participate in implementing the Djibouti agreement as regards security. The Council says that it will continue to give its support to AMISOM.
The Council deplores the continuing deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Somalia and expresses its concern at the difficulties in reaching the civilian population and at the security conditions which affect the work of humanitarian agencies and reaffirms the EU's determination to continue its efforts in this area. (A.N./transl.rh)