Special Adviser Jack Lang visits EU NAVFOR on board Flagship FS DE GRASSE
United Nations Secretary General Special Adviser on legal issues related to piracy off the coast of Somalia, Mr. Jack Lang, has met EU NAVFOR Force Commander Rear-Admiral Philippe Coindreau on 9 October on board FS DE GRASSE in Mombasa.
Mr. Lang met with EU NAVFOR staff in order to discuss legal issues related to piracy. The sailors on board the Flagship FS DE GRASSE outlined the challenges they face with regards to the huge size of the area of operation. Rear-Admiral Philippe Coindreau addressed the difficulties linked to the detention and subsequent transfer for prosecution of suspected pirates.
Special Adviser Lang and his team were given a tour of the French destroyer and were presented the process of handling suspected pirates on board.
“Our goal is not only to fight piracy in the region, which is not easy considering the size of the area, but also to make sure suspected pirates are eventually prosecuted. The European Union has already some transfer agreements in place and negotiations are still ongoing for similar agreements with other partners in the region. It is of utmost importance to find a lasting solution for the judicial treatment of piracy, as High Representative Catherine Ashton reminded on 7 October in Mauritius“, stated the EU NAVFOR Force Commander.
Mr. Lang is currently meeting with regional and international actors with the objective to propose to the UN Secretary General practical solutions for the judicial treatment of piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Source: EU NAVFOR Somalia