By Lene Espersen, Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs

The fight against piracy can’t be underestimated. Piracy is a breach
to the most fundamental principles of the modern civilization. In the
worst hit areas off the Horn of Africa no seafarers – be it on a
merchant ship or even a yacht – can be safe at sea.

Today more than 600 seafarers are being kept as hostages by Somali

pirates. They are all innocent victims to the unscrupulous hijackers
operating at sea off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. Their
families are afraid that they will never see their beloved ones again.
Piracy is unacceptable not only by all humanitarian, security and
legal standards. On top of this come the economic impacts on the
global trade and traffic. Though it is difficult to calculate, experts
estimate the total cost of piracy to be approximately 16 billion US
dollars in 2010.

From 2007 to 2010 the number of attacks and hijackings by pirates at
sea has more than quadrupled. The authorities of TFG, Puntland and
Somaliland acknowledge that piracy is also a growing and a serious
challenge to the security and economy of the country and the region as
a whole. Piracy has also severe consequences for the price of food. In
Somalia, where over half of the food consumed is imported, in addition
to humanitarian food aid, food prices suffer from inflation because
trade routes are altered, increases in insurance and security costs
and alternative ports are used for delivery. This has great
humanitarian impacts.

Even though the growing number of pirate attacks is centered in the
area off the Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean, it takes a global
concerted effort to fight it. No single country could or should carry
the burden alone. We all have a responsibility. As Danish Minister for
Foreign Affairs I encourage all governments and parties to take part
in the global fight against piracy.

Today a broad range of countries around the world as well as
multilateral and regional organizations are engaged in handling the
challenges, e.g. UN, NATO, EU and IMO. However – let’s be honest -
there is still room for improvement in our joint efforts. More needs
to be done – and it needs to be done with comprehensive, concerted and
international action.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has eloquently said, that “piracy
is not a water-borne disease. It is a symptom of conditions on the
ground”. I agree that long term solutions have to be found in Somalia
itself reversing two decades of conflict. Denmark is a strong
supporter of long term land based solutions to the situation in
Somalia. Earlier this year my Government presented an ambitious and
broad based policy paper on Somalia setting out the strategic
framework for an intensified effort in Somalia covering a wide range
of issues including diplomatic initiatives, security, governance,
growth and employment as well as improved livelihoods.

Together with TFG and the regional authorities Denmark is playing a
leading role in the international work to fight piracy. Recently the
Danish Government presented a comprehensive piracy strategy for
Denmark, encompassing political, military, legal and capacity building
measures.

In the short as well as the longer term a viable solution requires
stronger national mechanisms for prosecution and incarceration of
apprehended pirates.

Denmark is chairing the international working group under the Contact
Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia dealing with these crucial
legal issues. The group which consists of representatives from more
than 55 countries and organisations met for the eighth time in
Copenhagen on the 20-21 June.

So far good results have been reached in the legal area. The working
group has contributed significantly to facilitating cooperation
between states on the legal aspects of piracy. This cooperation
includes inter alia common legal standards in several areas linked to
the military efforts and the prosecution of suspected pirates. The
eighth meeting will among other things focus on the legal framework on
post trial transfer agreements and legal aspects of the use of private
armed guards.

In the context of the legal working group Denmark and TFG, Puntland
and Somaliland have had a very fruitful cooperation. I look forward to
continue the dialogue.

To complement the legal efforts, Denmark has committed herself to
continue our contribution to NATO’s naval operations at sea off the
Horn of Africa and in the Indian Ocean. Our contribution includes a
support ship including crew and helicopter. In addition, Denmark will
deploy a maritime patrol aircraft to support the naval operation
periodically.

In the longer term a viable solution requires the establishment of
stronger capacities locally. We need to build up the coastguards in
the region as well as police and prison capacities, not least in
Somalia, so that Somali pirates can serve their sentence in Somali
prisons. These are also elements in the Danish strategy and will be
financed by the Danish Stabilization Fund.

Combating piracy is a complex task. We need to use all the tools in
the tool box and participation from the international community. I
look forward to continue the cooperation between Somlia and my
country, Denmark in the fight against piracy.

Regards,
Daud

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