September 15, 2008 - European Union foreign ministers agreed on September 15 to set up a special unit to co-ordinate warship patrols off the coast of Somalia to protect shipping from pirates. In a statement, the ministers said the Brussels-based unit should be established within the next few days to co-ordinate "surveillance and protection activities" by the navies of EU nations. Several EU nations have sent warships to the coast of the east African nation to deter pirates who have seized yachts, freighters and fishing boats. Ships from France, Denmark, the Netherlands and Canada have also escorted vessels carrying food aid into Somalia for the United Nations since November. The ministers also approved planning on a possible fully fledged EU naval mission to waters off Somalia. However, EU foreign policy Chief Javier Solana said he hoped it would not be necessary to send such a mission. (From News 24 South Africa)

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