EU governance of the threat of piracy off the coast of Somalia

The problem of piracy off the coast of Somalia is analysed with special attention to the root causes. A kaleidoscope of international responses has been introduced, a great number of actors is involved in countering piracy, and even as many attempts to coordinate it all were made.

This chapter explores the powers and capacities of the EU to deal with this issue. The question is asked whether one can talk of a comprehensive approach to combating piracy and whether the EU action shows a genuine added value for dealing with the problem.