Ministers take aim at pirates after latest close shave off Somalia

The European Union’s foreign ministers are taking aim at pirates, of the heavily-armed Somalis-in-speedboats variety. The 27 EU member states have agreed to set up a “coordination unit” to tackle piracy off the coast of Somalia. They are also considering a possible EU military naval mission.

Paris said pirates fired rockets at a French fishing boat in international waters off the Horn of Africa on Sunday. Spanish vessels have also been targeted. The French called for EU action to protect the 55 European boats that fish in the area. They want this while they are still holding the EU presidency — till the end of December.

A French yacht was captured on September 3. Two French nationals are still being held. Earlier this year, 30 hostages were held for a week — also taken from a French yacht. French commandos captured six pirates and freed the hostages.

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