MOGADISHU, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- The European Union Naval Force personnel have helped train Somalia's Maritime Police Unit in Mogadishu to help strengthen the Horn of Africa nation's maritime security to help deter piracy along the coastline.
The EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP) said on Monday the vital training which it organized, will help in enhancing local capability in maintaining maritime security.
"The training included how to plan effective patrols at sea and boarding a vessel that is suspected of being involved in piracy and other illegal activity," the EU mission said in a statement released in Mogadishu.
The mission said maritime training with regional partners is an extremely important aspect of the European Union's efforts to help develop the capabilities of local maritime forces and to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia.
"The development of the maritime police in Mogadishu is a critical element in supporting Somalia in securing its principal sea port and its approaches," EUCAP Somalia's Head of Operations Chris Reynolds said.
The mission said Naval Force's sailors and marines from its warships ITS Fasan and ESPS Rayo, have been assisting staff from EUCAP Somalia, to train members of the Somali maritime police unit at sea off the coast of Mogadishu.
EUCAP Somalia is a civilian EU mission, under the auspices of the Common Security and Defence Policy, which assists Somalia in strengthening its capacity to ensure maritime security.
The EU naval force, a counter-piracy military operation off the coast of Somalia has been protecting Somalia bound ships, belonging to the UN World Food Programme and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
