Taiwan helps efforts with Somalia maritime security

TAIPEI — Taiwan on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) that will allow for the establishment of a Maritime Communications Initiative, a new communications network to increase maritime safety along the Somali coast.

The MOU was signed in Brussels by Tung Kuo-yu, Taiwan’s representative to the EU and Belgium, and James Burnell-Nugent, senior fellow of OBP, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the recommendation of the European Union, Taiwan has provided OBP with a grant of US$166,000 for the Maritime Communications Initiative. The donation will be used to establish maritime security centers in five Somali ports over a two-year period to enhance maritime communications in Somalia, the ministry said.