International Counter-Piracy Conference underscores U.A.E.'s leading role in counter piracy: Papers

Abu Dhabi (WAM): The 4th International Counter-Piracy Conference, which begins tomorrow in Dubai, has spotlighted the United Arab Emirates' leading role in fighting piracy in the region. As explained by Alessandro Mariani, who is representing the Deputy Secretary-General of the EU’s External Action Service at the International Counter-Piracy Conference, "Apart from being a generous host of the Counter-Piracy Conference, U.A.E. has played a leading role in fighting piracy in the region. This year, the U.A.E. took a lead in forming the Maritime Counter-Piracy and Mitigating Operation along with Japan and Seychelles and they are doing a commendable job." The Gulf News quoted Mariani as saying that the world economy is saving around Dh11 billion annually due to a drop in pirate attacks and this can be enhanced further only by strengthening the Government of Somalia and other regional countries to tackle the situation on their own. The paper also quoted Rear Admiral Guido Rando, Force Commander of the EU Naval Force, who said, "The situation has changed drastically over the last few years and there can be seen considerable improvements in levels of safety which is reflected by the increased shipping through the area. Hence, right now we are focusing on enhancing the capabilities of local coast guards as well as collecting data on the activities and trends ashore and offshore." The U.A.E., which is part of the 60-nation contact group, has played a key role in the fight against piracy. Another English language newspaper, Khaleej Times, reported that the EU has named its counter piracy effort Operation Atalanta and has five ships covering the Southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and a large part of the Indian Ocean. The paper also quoted European Union Naval Force Somalia (EUNAVFOR) Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, as saying that there are plans to extend the mission for another two years to give time to Somali security forces on land and its fledgling Coast Guard, who are being trained by EUNAVFOR, to combat crime along its coast, and bring stability at home. The National, in its report on the subject, said that patrolling by naval forces, self-protection measures, armed guards on merchant vessels and sharing intelligence information have dented Somali pirate attacks. The paper quoted the message of Ulrich Brosowsky, the EU Force headquarter’s Chief of Staff to merchant shipping, saying, "This area is still a pirate area, this is still a high-risk area. You have to take precautionary measures and you have to stay away from the Somali coast." Officials representing 60 countries and 20 international organisations are in Dubai for the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia as part of U.A.E. Counter-Piracy Week. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395271554257.html