New York
UN
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on piracy off the coast of Somalia
Statements | Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
Statements | Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General expresses his concern at new acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia in recent days and reiterates his condemnation of all acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea wherever they occur.
He strongly supports efforts by member states to address this scourge and is working closely with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, the IMO [International Maritime Organization], NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization], the EU [European Union], and other member states to ensure a coordinated international effort to fight piracy.
He welcomes the EU's decision to authorize the deployment of a maritime force off the coast of Somalia, and the efforts of individual member states to send vessels, which will strengthen security in the area. He also looks forward to the Secretary-General of IMO's briefing to the Security Council.