The European Union will remain committed in the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean.

This was said yesterday by the European Union naval force (EU-Navfor) head, Read Admiral Duncan Potts, after calling on President James A Michel at State House.

Rear Admiral Potts  is in Seychelles to attend a counter-piracy forum.

During the meeting at State House Rear Admiral Potts and President Michel spoke about the scourge of piracy.

"The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and all regional players, as well as Seychelles at the forefront, have done much to contain piracy though it is not defeated yet," said the rear admiral.

An increase in activity is now expected as the southeast monsoon gives way to calmer sea.

Read Admiral Potts has given the assurance that the EU will continue fighting piracy when he said that "as far as the European Union is concerned we will remain absolutely committed to it and our forces are out at sea at the moment preserving the trade passing through the region". The EU-Navfor has been conducting anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean for three years now.

A two-day conference under the theme "Piracy: Orchestrating a response" opens today at Le Meridien Barbaron hotel.