During the logistics stop in the port of Antsiranana (Madagascar), carried out by the 14 at the September 17, the Italian frigate Virginio Fasan, "Flagship" of the operation Atalanta, has conducted various institutional activities that have allowed the operation commander of the operation, rear-admiral Fabio Gregori, to meet local political and military authorities, first of all the president of the Republic of Madagascar, if Hery Rajaonarimampianina.
The force commander, accompanied by the commander of Nave Fasan, captain of frigate Michele Orini, participated, at the invitation of the Malagasy authorities, in the ceremony presided over by the President of the Republic of the State of Madagascar, for the commissioning of two new coastal patrol vessels donated by the People's Republic of China to the Malagasy Navy. During the event, the president wished to underline the important commitment and work carried out by the naval forces of the European Union engaged in the operation Atalanta in the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Horn of Africa for the safety of maritime traffic in the region.
In addition to the meetings held, Nave Fasan has had the opportunity to conduct training activities of Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) in favor of a representation of the Malagasy Navy. In particular, on 14 September, boarding operations were carried out, that is all the merchant traffic control and inspection activities, while the 16 September was conducted a basic indoctrination on the "Force Protection" structures, ie on the procedures security to be adopted to ensure the defense of your unit against external threats.
The important activities of representation and cooperation that Nave Fasan conducted in the port of Antsiranana constitute a fundamental element to strengthen ties with the authorities of all local countries, such as Madagascar, which given their geographical position, constitute primary partners with whom to work to achieve European objectives in the international maritime safety field in the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Horn of Africa, which, although geographically distant, represent the main access point to the waters of the Mare Nostrum, the Mediterranean.
