BRUSSELS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The European Union on Monday formally agreed to launch an anti-piracy naval mission off the coast of Somalia.

    "We are going to be launching our first naval operation of the European Union, an autonomous naval operation under British command," French Defense Minister Herve Morin said Monday.

    The EU will send warships and reconnaissance aircraft to escort World Foof Program food shipments to Somalia and deter piracy in the region.

    The EU operation, code-named "Atalanta," will begin in December. British Vice Admiral Phillip Jones has been appointed commander of the operation and the headquarters of the EU operation is located at Northwood in Britain.