EU appoints new commander for anti-piracy operation off Somalia

The EU Political and Security Committee appointed Tuesday Rear Admiral Stefano Barbieri of Italy force commander for the EU’s counter-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta as of 6 October.

Barbieri will take over from Rear Admiral Alfonso Gomez Fernandez de Cordoba who has been force commander since 6 May 2015.

The operation’s main focus is the protection of World Food Programme vessels delivering humanitarian aid to Somalia; and the deterrence, repression and disruption of piracy off the Somali coast.

In addition, Operation Atalanta contributes to the monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia, noted an EU statement.

Kuna