She added: “We need to tackle both the root-causes and the symptoms of the problem in a comprehensive manner.We want to build a partnership with the countries in the region towards sustainable solutions based on local ownership with internationalsupport."
Says Ford: “Addressing piracy to solve instability is like shooting the arrow instead of the archer”.
EU biggest donor to Somalia
The EU is currently the biggest donor of humanitarian aid to Somalia, say NGOs. Development projects to enable people to earn income would offer alternatives to piracy and criminality.
In a statement, Ashton said that the EU is committed to a regional approach to piracy off the coast of Somalia and pledged EU support for their efforts to ensure the prosecution and detention of suspected pirates.The EU has concluded transfer agreements with Kenya and the Seychelles. The conclusion of agreements with other countries in the region is under discussion.
Ashton’s statement continued: “The EU is also committed to stability and security in Somalia and to responding to the needs of the Somali people. In this context, the EU just launched a training mission (EUTM) in Uganda to train Somali troops.”
For more information:
www.eunavfor.eu/
http://www.oxfam.org/
