Pirates transfer agreement with Mauritius signed

(BRUSSELS2) That's it. On July 14, the European Union and Mauritius signed the agreement allowing the European forces of the Eunavfor Atalanta mission to transfer the pirates arrested in the Indian Ocean. The agreement was endorsed on Tuesday (July 12) on the European side. The discussions were rather long. It has been more than a year since they were started (1). And they experienced several twists and reluctance on the European side – some States had doubts about the conditions of the agreement (2) – and on the side of Mauritius.

Rather long discussions

Several points were discussed, including the question of capital punishment, the area where pirates are arrested and the possibility for the island to refuse certain transfers. The amount of financial compensation for the island was also under discussion. Finally, the authorities of the Island undertook not to apply the death penalty to the people thus transferred. Mauritius should benefit from European funding of around 4 million euros - 3 million directly and 1 million via Unodc - financed by the EU stability instrument.

According to Mauritian sources reported today in the local press, a new wing could be added to the Petit-Verger prison (Pointe-aux-Sables) to accommodate the pirates. And Mauritian law is in the process of being adapted; the attorney general's office is working on it.

A fourth agreement with Tanzania?

This agreement is the third signed by the European Union after Kenya (put on hold), the Seychelles (active but limited in capacity to receive pirates). A fourth agreement will begin to be negotiated. According to our information, Tanzania, which has long been hesitant, has expressed this desire. Talks have been started by EEAS diplomats.

(1) Read also:

• The transfer agreement with Mauritius in its final stage?
• The proposed pirate transfer agreement with Mauritius. The main points
• The suspicious pirates' transfer agreement with Mauritius
• Mauritius reluctant to sign EU pirates deal
• Mauritius says yes to EU to bring pirates to justice
• Mauritius offers its services in the fight against piracy
• Mauritius does not want Atalanta "piracy suspects"
• Transfer of pirates: after the Seychelles, Tanzania or Mauritius?

(2) The current dispute between Mauritius and the United Kingdom over the exclusive economic zone off the Chagos has certainly not helped the rapid conclusion of this agreement.