Serbian VPDs on watch on WFP boats

(BRUSSELS2) Serbian soldiers will be involved for the first time in the European Union's anti-piracy operation (EUNavfor Atalanta), off the coast of Somalia. They will in fact form an onboard protection detachment (VPD) which will be used to protect World Food Program (WFP) ships.

A European logo, a Serbian flag

This is the first time that Serbia – a non-member country of the European Union – is involved in the EUNavfor operation. But this is not a total first. A Serbian doctor was already providing medical care in the Somali army training mission EUTM Somalia.

Succession carried out in Djibouti

They are taking over from a detachment of Lithuanian soldiers who have carried out this onboard escort work over the last 4 months, aboard the MV Caroline Scan, a ship chartered by the international organization. The “witness” visit took place in Djibouti. Effective protection since the ship did not suffer any pirate attacks and was able to deliver its 730.000 tonnes of food without incident to the Somali ports.