European Union Vice President Josep Borrell arrived in Djibouti on Saturday, July 6, for a strategic meeting extending until Monday.
According to the EU External Action Service (EEAS), the purpose of the meeting is to enhance bilateral relations with Djibouti, a strategically located country hosting military bases from China, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
During his visit, Borrell will discuss the EU’s longstanding naval mission, ‘Operation Atalanta’, which supports coastal states in the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability, and maritime security.
This multinational effort includes providing ongoing protection for World Food Programme (WFP) vessels delivering essential aid to areas affected by drought and violence, including Sudan.
Borrell is also scheduled to visit naval assets involved in the Aspides and Atalanta operations to gain firsthand insight into how EU operations contribute to regional security. He will engage with European personnel dedicated to safeguarding freedom of navigation.
On Monday, Borrell plans to meet with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, before holding a press conference and departing.