This morning, the head of EUCAP Nestor, Mr. Etienne de Poncins, proceeded to the handover of equipment related to projects in the field of maritime security to both institutions in charge of maritime security in Djibouti: The Coast Guard and the Navy.
“This ceremony today is the result of a fruitful cooperation between the Coast Guard and the Djiboutian Navy on one side and EUCAP Nestor mission on the other,” said Etienne de Poncins during his speech. “The equipment delivered today is only one part of our work and will contribute to a better surveillance of the maritime space and to the safety of navigation.”
Both institutions will receive, among other things, binoculars, to equip their boats. Simple and robust, these binoculars will enhance the maritime areas surveillance during patrols and will contribute to the safety of navigation. Bullet-proof vests and protective helmets for control teams are also part of the lot. These equipment essential for staff safety will be accompanied by trainings in intervention techniques that will soon be delivered by EUCAP Nestor experts. A set of 10 GPS navigators was also handed over to the Coast Guard and will be accompanied by a navigation training which is scheduled for May.
Other donations will follow before the summer including a full batch of fire-fighting equipment that should significantly enhance the capabilities of the Navy in the field, as well as diving equipment planned to equip 12 officers of the Coast Guard, involved notably in the port security or the underwater judicial police.
Background
EUCAP Nestor is a civilian EU mission under the so called Common Security and Defence Policy, with headquarters in Djibouti. The mission covers 5 countries in the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean (Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles) and is mandated to assist these countries to develop a self-sustainable capacity for continued enhancement of the maritime security, including counter-piracy and maritime governance.
2014 03 17 – PR 09_2014 – Handover of equipment CG Navy EN.u9AGO-_-wn.docx
