Seychelles Minister Morgan Pleased with 4th Anti-Piracy Conference in Dubai Results
MINISTER Joël Morgan, Minster for Home Affairs and Transport, has returned to the Seychelles with his delegation following successful meetings at the just completed anti-piracy conference which had as the theme, “Security State Recovery: Sustaining Momentum at Sea, Confronting instability on land,” which was held 27 - 30 October 2014.
The events in Dubai were in two parts with meetings starting on 27 October 2014, this for members of the Contact group for Piracy off the coast of Somalia (CGPS), and working group 3, which Seychelles co-chairs, and which was followed by the anti-piracy conference itself which started on Wednesday 29 October 2014. The working Group 3 meetings were chaired by Seychelles Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Dick Esparon.
“This visit permitted my delegation to not only attend the CGPS, which the Seychelles co-chair’s Working Group 3, but as well we were able to hold a board meeting of member nations for REFLECS3, and several bilateral meetings with key nations and international organizations discussing a broad range of security issues prior to and after the conference. I stressed that we must not lose focus or sight of the threats which still are present in the Western Indian Ocean, even as some discuss pulling back resources to combat those very same threats,” said Minister Morgan.
Minister Morgan at the conference participated with five other invited personalities at a plenary session which had as a discussion theme, “Lessons learned from Maritime Piracy in the Horn of Africa, and a Framework for Future Cooperation.”
As well the Minister held separate bilateral meetings with the Federal State of Somalia, NATO, INTERPOL, Mauritius, Norway, Netherlands, the Puntland State of Somalia and the United Arab Emirates whose delegation was led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister of the UAE.
At the Steering Group Board meeting with member states to REFLECS 3, the Regional Fusion and Law Enforcement Centre for Safety and Security at Sea, which was held on Wednesday 29 October 2014, members agreed to continued support of REFLECS3 however noting that more should be done to publicise what has been achieved until today. Member states attending were the United States of America, Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Seychelles, with Australia sending apologies for not being able to attend. Representatives from the UNODC were as well present.
“It was an intense few days but overall we were able to achieve much despite the tight and packed schedules. My message that we must build our capacity within the region was well received,” added the Minister.
During this anti-piracy conference it was announced that seven sailors of Indian nationality had been freed by their pirate captors after being held for 4 years. The news was welcomed by all assembled delegates, however noting that 30 sailors are at this time still being held by pirates in Somalia.
In his closing remarks, Minister Morgan stressed on the need for the Government of Somalia to prosecute and imprison the Pirate who were at large in Somalia. He stated that it was important that the state of Somalia takes its responsibilities as a member of the International Community. The Minister also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE and DP World, for organizing and hosting the 4th anti-piracy conference, which was again held in Dubai.
The Minister’s delegation comprised of Ambassador Dick Esparon, Seychelles Ambassador to the UAE, Lt. Colonel Michael Rosette of the SPDF, Mr. Joseph Bibi, Director of REFLECS3, Mr. Dave Thomas, Deputy Director of REFLECS3, Mr. Jacques Belle from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Raymond St. Ange, Security Consultant to the Minister of Home Affairs and Transport.
Source: Seychelles Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport Press Release
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