The commander of the Maltese contingent on an EU mission off Somalia, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Cardona, has been presented with the Common Security and Defence Policy Service Medal.
The decoration was also presented to Commander Ruud W.J. Schoonen, captain of the Dutch warship De Zeven Provincien, on which the Maltese soldiers are embarked.
The medal was presented in recognition of their contribution to the EU mission in the Horn of Africa.
21 AFM soldiers from 1 Regiment have been deployed on board the De Zeven Provincien operating in the vicinity of the coast of Somalia to prevent piracy activities.