From left to right, LtJG Jaksa Miskovic (Croatian Navy), LtJG Ismael Houmed (Djiboutian Navy), CDR Antonio Galiuto (Italian Navy), LtJG Goran Djurkovic and CPO Dragan Djordjevic (Montenegrin Navy), together on board EU NAVFOR Italian ship ITS LIBECCIO.

With only five nations contributing to the mission three months from its beginning, the EU NAVFOR Operation has since then been supported by twenty-three different nations.

So far eleven EU Member States have provided an operational contribution to EU NAVFOR, either with ships or with maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. This includes France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, United Kingdom (also hosting the EU NAVFOR Operational headquarters), Portugal and Luxembourg.

Ten other EU countries have participated in the effort providing military staff to work at the EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood – UK). These are Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Ireland and Finland.

In addition, other non EU Member States, like Norway and Croatia, have so far also brought their contribution to EU NAVFOR with staff working at the headquarters. Moreover, Norway has also provided an operational contribution with a warship regularly deploying in the area of operation.

We should not forget those crewmembers from other countries not already mentioned, who by virtue of serving onboard on EU NAVFOR warship also indirectly support the mission.

EU NAVFOR ITS LIBECCIO illustrates this international diversity with one Croatian, one Djiboutian and two Montenegrins on board. “Participation of Officers and Petty Officers from these countries on board Italian Naval warships demonstrates their States’ intent to contribute to supporting international security in the region”, explained the Captain of ITS LIBECCIO.