SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY : EU TO HEAD CONTACT GROUP ON SOMALI PIRACY.

The European Union assumed, on 1 January, chairmanship of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS). Set up in 2009 in the context of a United Nations resolution, this group coordinates civilian and military activities carried out by around 60 countries, non-governmental organisations and representatives of the sectors concerned (insurers, shipping industry, etc) to stamp out piracy in waters off Somalia's shores.

Maciej Popowski, deputy secretary-general of the European External Action Service (EAS), will serve as EU chairperson for one year. The EAS will work with the European Commission, which has several services involved in the contact group's work. The European Union already plays a strong part in the CGPCS, since three of its four working groups are chaired by EU member states: the UK for the fight against corruption, Denmark for legal issues and Italy for financial flows.

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