(SomaliNet) A flotilla of EU warships will begin anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia next week. The six ships and three reconnaissance aircraft will replace a Nato force that has been in the region and escorting cargo ships carrying relief aid to Somalia since the end of October. Although the Nato ships have helped deliver nearly 30,000 tons of humanitarian supplies to the impoverished nation, they have not been able to stem the upsurge in pirate attacks on foreign shipping in one of the most important shipping lanes in the world.
Foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the EU warships will arrive on Monday, and the handover with the Nato force will take place on December 15.
Britain, France, Greece and Germany will provide ships for the initial naval contingent, and France and Italy will provide patrol aircraft.
The task force - codenamed Operation Atalanta - will be the EU's first naval operation. It will have the same duties as the Nato mission, including escorting cargo vessels, protecting merchant ships and deterring pirate attacks. "These tasks will be done with very robust rules of engagement," Foreign policy chief Javier Solana said.
EU foreign ministers have agreed to ask the UN Security Council to clarify the legal issues involved in the anti-piracy effort. Ministers said they would also consider the possibility of deploying a follow-up anti-piracy mission to assist the EU ships.
Under the current UN mandate, the international fleet operating off the Horn of Africa has not been able to board ships seized by the pirates in order to free their hostages.
Besides the Nato ships, 10 others from the United States, India, Russia and Malaysia are patrolling the region at present.