EU holds talks with Oman on transit deal for its anti-piracy mission

The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) Tuesday approved the opening of negotiations for an agreement with the Sultanate of Oman on the transit and stationing of maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircrafts belonging to the EU NAVFOR mission fighting piracy off the Somali coast. EU launched the European Naval Force Somalia - Operation ATALANTA in December 2008, to improve maritime security off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean. The EU recently decided to extend the operation until December 2012. The GAC which met in Luxembourg today was chaired by Poland which holds the current EU Presidency. GAC said in a statement it also reviewed preparations for the G-20 summit that is due to take place in Cannes on Nov.3 &4.