Piracy gets a crackdown from Estonia

Jul 25, 2008
In cooperation with Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

BRUSSELS- Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet took part in the foreign ministers council in Brussles July 22, o discuss EU-Ukraine relations, the Western Balkans as well as the worrisome situation in Somalia.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the European Union must continue to co-ordinate its activities to support Somalia’s peace process. “ResolvingSomalia’s interior political crisis is required for guaranteeing stability in the region,” said Foreign Minister Paet.

According to the Estonian foreign minister, the EU must work together to find a solution to problems related to hijacking and piracy in Somalian waters. “European Union member states cannot accept the fact that international ship routes are constantly endangered by hijacking or pirates,” Foreign Minister Paet said.

 

 Paet feels that solid EU anti-piracy measures must be conceived and implemented, which would increase security for sea voyages and allow for ships used for piracy to be apprehended and the criminals punished.

 

“The movement of information among military forces in that region must be improved,” Paet stated.

 

The foreign minister thinks that proposals on how to increase security in Somalian waters should be presented at the next meeting of European Union foreign ministers in September.

 

“I am pleased that Estonian sailor Ardo Kalle, who was held hostage by pirates, is on his way home. But efforts must still be made to end the violence that occurs in Somalian waters,” Paet added.

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