BRUSSELS—The European Union formally launched Monday an anti-piracy security operation off the coast of Somalia -- its first ever naval mission -- the EU's French presidency said.
Dubbed Operation Atalanta, the mission was endorsed by the bloc's defense ministers at talks in Brussels. EU ships will also help protect UN and other vulnerable vessels seeking to transport aid into strife-torn Somalia.
"I hope that it will be in place by December," EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said, as the bloc's defense and foreign ministers held talks in Brussels.
The so-called EUNAVOR operation will be made up of at least seven ships, including three frigates and a supply vessel. It will also be backed by surveillance aircraft.
The mission will be run from a headquarters at Northwood, north of London, with contributions from France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and Spain, with Portugal, Sweden and non-EU nation Norway also likely to take part.
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