The Commander of NATO’s operation ‘Ocean Shield’ pays a visit to Tanzanian Authorities.

The F-100 frigate ‘Álvaro de Bazán’, flagship of NATO’s operation ‘Ocean Shield’, visited Dar Es Salaam in support of Tanzanian authorities committed with the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean.

During the visit, the operation’s Commander Rear-admiral Eugenio Díaz del Río met the Tanzanian Navy Chief of Staff, Brigadier-general Rogastian S. Laswai and the Maritime Police Chief, Deputy Commissioner J.S. Kasanga. Both authorities were invited to a reception on board the frigate.

The reception was attended by the Spanish Ambassador in Dar Es Salaam, Luis Cuesta, the Ambassador of Turkey, Alí Davutoglu, the High Commissioner of Canadá, Alexandre Lévêque, the Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission, Virginia Blaser, the Deputy Chief of the Tanzanian Navy, Brigadier-general Hi Majumba, the Deputy Chief of the Spanish Mission, Juan Lueiro and the Counselor of the Norwegian Embassy Geir Michalsen.

Rear-admiral Díaz del Río thanked the Tanzanian authorities for the support provided to NATO forces deployed in the Indian Ocean and opened up the possibility for further joint training and cooperation with the Tanzanian Navy. ‘The visit to Dar Es Salaam – he said – and the meetings with the Chief of Staff Laswai and the Maritime Police Chief Kasanga, have been very fruitful to enhance confidence building measures and strengthen the relations’.

Background

NATO contributes to the international endeavors fighting piracy in the Horn of Africa since 2008. It provides escort to WFP (World Food Program) ships and protects shipping in the area. In addition to these activities, NATO takes part in different regional programs to enhance local capabilities to counter piracy.