Dutch Naval Air Defence Frigate HNLMS Tromp to make a call in Busan Naval Base
The Dutch Naval Air Defence Frigate HNLMS Tromp will make a call in Busan Naval Base, Republic of Korea, from 1 to 5 June 2024 as part of its journey around the world, including a deployment to the Indo-Pacific. During this deployment, the ship will conduct naval exercises with the RoK Navy and participate in the Enforcement Coordination Cell of the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange to assist in the maritime enforcement of international sanctions against DPRK.
On the occasion of this port call, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the RoK, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the EU Project Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA), and the RoK Navy, is organising a roundtable on the theme of “Sanctions Enforcement at Sea”. About 50 officials, experts, diplomats and military personnel from the EU and the RoK will engage in peer-to-peer exchange, sharing thoughts on policies, experiences and best practices based on current operations.
Peter van der Vliet, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Republic of Korea, said: “This deployment is further proof of the increasing engagement of the Netherlands and the European Union (EU) on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. The presence of the Royal Netherlands Navy in this region underlines the Netherlands’ commitment to maritime security all around the world.”
“We are building on the continuing momentum in relations between the EU, the Netherlands, and the ROK, and the joint leaders’ declaration and MoU on defence cooperation adopted during the state visit by President Yoon Suk Yeol to the Netherlands in December 2023,” he added.
Fredrik Ekfeldt, Chargé d’affaires ad interim, Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, said: “Last year’s 10th EU-RoK Summit greatly strengthened the EU-RoK Strategic Partnership by expending and deepening our bilateral cooperation. Earlier this year, we successfully launched negotiations for a new EU-RoK Security and Defence Partnership.” “In true #TeamEurope style, this roundtable on Sanctions Enforcement at Sea will include high-level participants from the EU and EU Member States, supporting policy dialogue and highlighting existing cooperation in maritime security between the EU and the Republic of Korea.”
Hosted by the RoK Navy in Busan, the roundtable features experts such as Ms. Eun Joo Lee, Director of Export Control and Sanctions Division, RoK Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Thomas Frellesen, Head of Division (Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific), at the European External Action Service; Commander Kim Geun Hyang, RoK Navy Headquarters, International Cooperation Officer; and Rear-Admiral Guillaume Fontarensky, Deputy Operation Commander, EUNAVFOR IRINI.
The day-long discussion is expected to focus on the political, diplomatic, legal and operational issues of Sanctions Enforcement at Sea, followed by a visit of the HNLMS Tromp.
About the Dutch Naval Air Defence Frigate HNLMS Tromp:
HNLMS Tromp – an Air Defense and Command Frigate – is commanded by commanding officer Ms. Yvonne van Beusekom. It is one of the most advanced ships in the Royal Netherlands Navy, containing a wide range of the latest technological innovations. In the previous months, HNLMS Tromp was deployed in the Red Sea, supporting maritime security operations Prosperity Guardian and EUNAVFOR Aspides.
About the EU’s ESIWA project:
The ESIWA project works to enhance the EU’s security and defence cooperation with the Indo-Pacific in four thematic areas: counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism, crisis management, cyber security, and maritime security. The project is co-funded by the European Union, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. ESIWA is co-implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), and by Expertise France.
ESIWA’s activities in maritime security aim to promote a fair, transparent, rules-based maritime order, strengthen maritime responses to security challenges, and enhance visibility of the EU as a maritime security provider.
Previous ESIWA maritime security activities in the Republic of Korea include in 2022 the EU-RoK Maritime Security Cooperation Forum, and a Track 1.5 seminar on Maritime Security Engagement in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In 2023, ESIWA organised a seminar on EU-RoK convergences on maritime security. In 2023, ESIWA organised an EU-RoK high-level Cybersecurity Conference with Sweden; the EU-RoK Academic Roundtable on Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI); and a Special Session on RoK-EU Security Cooperation at the Hongneung Defense Forum.