Cape Verde Thanked For Role in Recovering Hijacked Ship

27 August 2009

The Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has thanked the Cape Verdean President Pedro Pires for his country’s role in recovering the hijacked cargo ship Arctic Sea. The ship was found on 17th August 300 nautical miles from Cape Verde after 20 days in the hands of the hijackers.

The Moscow Kremlin (the Russian press service) reported earlier this week that the Russian President has acknowledged the help of the Cape Verdean government in a letter: “I would personally like to thank your country’s authorities for their help in repatriating the ship’s Russian crew and in the transportation of those responsible for the hijacking to Moscow.  I believe that this example of effective joint work will not only contribute toward greater cooperation in the fight against international piracy and organized crime, but will also help to develop all bilateral relations between Russia and Cape Verde,” he concluded.

The Artic Sea had departed from Finland on 23rd July, headed for a port in Algeria where is was due to arrive on 4th August, however it was intercepted off Gotland Province, Sweden on 24th July by masked men. The shipment of lumber was estimated to be worth $1.4 million.