On Friday 19 June 2009 the UK and Cape Verde Governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the fight against the illegal trafficking of narcotics. Onboard HMS Gloucester at Praia, Cape Verde, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Cape Verde, Mr Christopher Trott, and the Minister of Defence of Cape Verde, Her Excellency Cristina Fontes signed the historic agreement.

Mr Trott praised the agreement “which has been reached after years of growing collaboration between the UK and Cape Verde and signals a significant step forward in the co-ordinated fight against illegal drug trafficking, and, in so doing, will be of substantial benefit to both nations.  The fact that this agreement was signed onboard HMS Gloucester sends a strong message to those engaged in these activities: we have both the will and the means to apprehend them.”

A further sign of the growing defence relationship between the UK and Cape Verde is the recent appointment of the first Defence Attache, Commander David Fields, who said, “Cape Verde law enforcement agencies are now able to embark in ships and aircraft of the Royal Navy to conduct counter-narcotic boarding operations on suspect vessels.  This significant step recognises the need to work together internationally in the fight against illicit trafficking.”

On completion of the signing ceremony, HMS Gloucester deployed with embarked Cape Verde law enforcement personnel to conduct training in the use of the new agreement.