EU expects Ukraine to join anti-piracy mission

26.04.2010 European Union expects Ukraine to join EUNAVFOR Somalia/Operation Atalanta anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, said foreign ministers of 27 EU countries at the Monday's meeting in Luxembourg.

As reported by RIA Novosti, the council of EU foreign ministers welcomed growing portion of third countries taking part in the mission and expects Ukraine to participate in Operation Atalanta as well; future members could be Norway and Montenegro.

Ministers also mentioned fruitful counter-piracy cooperation between EU and Russian mariners in the Gulf of Aden.

Heads of European diplomatic authorities endorsed agreements with Kenya and Seychelles about custody and trials over pirates and other armed persons arrested while Operation Atalanta. In addition, ministers spoke for conclusion of similar agreements with Mauritania, Mozambique, Republic of South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda.

Operation Atalanta has been carried by EU naval force since Dec 2008.