4 May

Minister of Defence Urmas Reinsalu signed a directive this week ending Estonia’s participation in the European Union counter-piracy operation Atalanta in the Gulf of Aden within the month. Recently the nature of Operation Atalanta has changed, removing the need for the vessel protection detachments that operated on board naval vessels. Instead, the plan is to use more land-based, or autonomous, vessel protection detachments, which, will require more naval personnel, a strong and well-developed coastal support system, and diplomatic representation as well as tight relationships with the countries around the Gulf of Aden.

As contributing to the autonomous vessel protection detachments would be significantly more expensive and complicated than the present contribution, Estonia has decided to end its participation in Operation Atalanta.

According to Minister of Defence Urmas Reinsalu, the number of incidents, pirate attacks and successful hijacks in the Gulf of Aden has dropped sharply as a result of Operation Atalanta. “Estonian navy personnel have contributed to making ship traffic in the Gulf of Aden more secure and to allowing world food aid vessels to safely reach the needy,” said Reinsalu.

“Estonian vessel protection detachments have held the Estonian flag high with their professional performance and have made their contribution to this important European Union military operation. Participation in Atalanta has also deepened Estonia’s defence cooperation with our strategic partners Germany and France,” the Minister of Defence added.

Estonia will continue its contribution to the European Union’s operation in Mali.

The main aim of the European Union naval operation Atalanta is to protect the ships of the World Food Programme and the African Union Mission to Somalia off the eastern coast of Africa and in the Indian Ocean, to deter piracy and to fight organised crime. The Estonian Navy has participated in Operation Atalanta since 2010.