SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED AT NEW PIRACY ACTS OFF SOMALIA’S COAST, STRONGLY

SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS SCOURGE, STRENGTHEN SECURITY IN AREA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General expresses his concern at new acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia in recent days and reiterates his condemnation of all acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea wherever they occur.

He strongly supports efforts by Member States to address this scourge and is working closely with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, the IMO [International Maritime Organization], NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization], the EU [European Union], and other Member States to ensure a coordinated international effort to fight piracy.

He welcomes the European Union’s decision to authorize the deployment of a maritime force off the coast of Somalia, and the efforts of individual Member States to send vessels, which will strengthen security in the area.  He also looks forward to the Secretary-General of IMO's briefing to the Security Council.

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For information media • not an official record