Australia supports international efforts to address piracy in the Indian Ocean
Australia and the Seychelles signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Conditions of the Transfer of Suspected Pirates and Armed Robbers and Seized property to the Seychelles on Tuesday 25 June 2013. The MOU was signed by the Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs & Transport, Mr Joel Morgan, and the Australian High Commissioner to the Seychelles, HE Ms Sandra Vegting, on board Australian warship HMAS Newcastle. Ms Vegting also signed a Partnership Arrangement with the Regional Anti-Piracy Prosecutions and Intelligence Coordination Centre (RAPPICC) on behalf of Australia. The Australian Civilian Corps (ACC) recently deployed a law and justice specialist to manage the professional development of the RAPPICC.
Australian High Commissioner, HE Sandra Vegting said “I am delighted to be signing this MOU and RAPPICC Partnership Arrangement today on board Australian warship, HMAS Newcastle that is visiting the Seychelles for this occasion. The humanitarian, security and trade impacts of piracy in the Indian Ocean are a great concern for Australia and the international community. The Australian Civilian Corps deployment to the RAPPICC will make a valuable contribution to the high priority objective of combating Indian Ocean Piracy.”
HMAS Newcastle is the fourth Australian warship to visit the Seychelles since 2012. HMAS Newcastle is one of four Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG) in service with the Royal Australian Navy. In recent years Newcastle has been deployed in support of peacekeeping operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands and Operation Catalyst in the Persian Gulf. Newcastle is named after the City of Newcastle and is the first Royal Australian Navy ship to carry this name.