COPS accepts Ukrainian participation in EUNAVFOR Atalanta

(BRUSSELS2) The COPS - EU Political and Security Committee - will formally accept Ukraine's participation in the European anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta on Friday. Need it be said that this is not due to the recent visit of the Ukrainian president to Brussels. Participation had been endorsed by the previous president (1). And already accepted by the European military authorities (EU Military Committee and Operation Commander). But it was not withdrawn by the new president elected in February, Viktor Yanukovych. And it is a concrete gesture for Ukraine of its desire to become more involved in the PESDC. The first of sorts. Despite several possibilities mentioned (for Chad in particular), to the point that Ukraine had become the "Arlesienne" of participating third countries (1).

Ukraine will provide about twenty commando men who can be placed on "sensitive ships". But no ship as mentioned for a moment by the Ukrainian media (2). The Ukrainians will be under the command of RA Hudson like all the forces of Operation Atalanta. 4 third countries are now taking part in the European anti-piracy operation: Norway, Croatia, Montenegro and Ukraine. They are associated with the operation through officers in the force or operation headquarters, and in the committee of contributors.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(1) L'Ukraine maybe in Atalanta in 2010? (November 2009)
(2) The involvement of Ukrainians à Atalanta becomes clearer (January 2010)