Operation 'Atalanta', the European Unions's counter-piracy mission off the coast of East Africa, has been renewed for another two years. The EU Council agreed on 25 November to extend the mandate of 'Atalanta' until 31 December 2018. It also set aside just over EUR11 million (USD11.6 million) via the 'Athena mechanism' to finance the mission's common costs. Concentrating primarily on the Somali coast, the mission was launched in December 2008 to detect and deter piracy in the region. It also protects World Food Programme vessels and other shipping, while supporting EU missions and regional programmes.
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