UK lowers European flag over Northwood

(B2) The European Union flag will be lowered at British HQ Northwood. The United Kingdom loses command of the EU anti-piracy operation it had commanded since the start, a good ten years ago in December 2008. At issue: Brexit.

It will be effective on March 29, 2019. And there is no postponement. Everything has already been decided and ratified for several months already. The command returned to the Spaniards, with the French in support. Which is just a return of things. Since without Paris and Madrid, this operation would never have seen the light of day (Read: France and Spain decided to act on maritime piracy).

It is no secret that the United Kingdom was rather reluctant to see the birth of a European maritime operation (read: The maritime operation in Somalia blocked… by the United Kingdom). It was only under the pressure of events, increasingly numerous pirate catches, the concern of the merchant marine community and maritime insurance, that the government decided to act.

Finally, the British are very proud to have been in command of the operation... General Charlie Stickland (who is finishing his term) has " said privileged and honored to have commanded the operation ». While the Chief of Defense Staff across the Channel Nick Carter has underlined — in front of EU NAVFOR personnel gathered for a final farewell to Northwood — " the remarkable performance of the United Kingdom in its role as 'Frame Nation' during the last ten years of Operation Atalanta ».

(NGV)

Read our file No. 08. The EU on the front line against Somali pirates. Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta