Piracy gets a crackdown from Estonia

BRUSSELS- Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet took part in theforeign ministers council in Brussles July 22, o discuss EU-Ukraine relations,the Western Balkans as well as the worrisome situation in Somalia.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the European Union must continue toco-ordinate its activities to support Somalia's peace process. "ResolvingSomalia'sinterior political crisis is required for guaranteeing stability in theregion," said Foreign Minister Paet.

According to the Estonian foreign minister, the EU must work together to find asolution to problems related to hijacking and piracy in Somalian waters."European Union member states cannot accept the fact that international shiproutes are constantly endangered by hijacking or pirates," Foreign MinisterPaet said.

 

 Paet feels that solidEU anti-piracy measures must be conceived and implemented, which would increasesecurity for sea voyages and allow for ships used for piracy to be apprehendedand the criminals punished.

 

"The movement of information among military forces in thatregion must be improved," Paet stated.

 

The foreign minister thinks that proposals on how toincrease security in Somalian waters should be presented at the next meeting ofEuropean Union foreign ministers in September.

 

"I am pleased that Estonian sailor Ardo Kalle, who was heldhostage by pirates, is on his way home. But efforts must still be made to endthe violence that occurs in Somalian waters," Paet added.