The spanish ambassador to Oman visits the frigate 'Reina Sofia'

• The visit took place during the stopover of the Operation Atalanta command ship in Muscat

The Spanish Ambassador to Oman, Maria Luisa Huidorbro Martin-Laborda, has visited the frigate 'Reina Sofia', the command ship of Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta. The Spanish diplomat boarded the frigate during its stopover at the port 'Sultan Qaboos' in Muscat.

She was welcomed on board by Rear Admiral Juan Maria Ibáñez Martin. She was given a guided tour of the frigate, during which she was shown the platform's capabilities, operational characteristics and the frigate's on-board resources for carrying out the Operation's missions. These included the "AB-212" helicopter and the "ScanEagle" unmanned aircraft. At the end of the visit, at sunset, the solemn lowering of the flag took place in the presence of the Spanish community in Oman.

The frigate,, which set sail from the Rota Naval Base on 9 February, is scheduled to remain in the area of operations until mid-June. The 'Reina Sofia' has so far called at two ports in Oman, in Salalah and in Muscat. The visits to these ports have allowed for meetings with local military authorities and joint activities, thus creating a bond of trust that allows for increased collaboration between Operation Atalanta and the Omani Armed Forces. These Defence Diplomacy activities support the establishment of a secure maritime environment, especially against piracy and illicit activities.