Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/795987
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 8 MARCH 2017 PAUL COCKS THE Commander of the Euro- pean Union's naval operation tasked with identif ying, cap- turing and disposing of ves- sels and other assets used or suspected of being used by mi- grant smugglers or traffickers, has met Libyan Coast Guard trainees currently undergoing specialised training in Malta. Rear Admiral Enrico Creden- dino, EUNAVFOR MED Op- eration 'Sophia' commander, met the trainees at the AFM's Maritime Safety and Security Training Centre (MSSTC). The training module is part of a broader initiative set forth by EUNAVFOR MED, which is aimed at training Libyan coast guard officers. Operation Sophia is but one element of a broader EU com- prehensive response to the migration issue, which seeks to address not only its physi- cal component, but also its root causes, including conf lict, poverty, climate change and persecution. It complements wider EU ef- forts to disrupt the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Southern Central Mediterra- nean and prevent the further loss of life at sea. Since 7 October, 2015, the operation moved into second phase, which entails boarding, search, seizure and diversion, on the high seas, of vessels sus- pected of being used for hu- man smuggling or trafficking. While in Malta, Credendino also met Brigadier Jeffrey Cur- mi, commander of the AFM. A number of EU countries, including Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium and the UK have pledged to provide train- ing and equipment to Libya's coast guard as part of Opera- tion Sophia, the EU's joint na- val operation launched in the spring of 2015, aimed at com- bating human and arms traf- ficking in the central Mediter- ranean. At a summit in Malta in early February, EU leaders approved an additional €200 million for projects to tackle illegal mi- gration into Europe, which in- cluded an additional €3.2 mil- lion toward the Libyan coast guard training program. The EU-backed program has trained 89 Libyan cadets and officials since its inception in October but Operation Sophia has sparked controversy, part- ly owing to several incidents between the Libyan f leet and NGOs engaged in search-and- rescue missions in the area. The Libyan coast guard con- tinues to struggle with corrup- tion and infiltration by people smugglers as the country remi- ans divided with three rival governments v ying for power. News EUR 25,000,000 4.4% UNSECURED BONDS 2024 Von der Heyden Group Finance p.l.c. (the "Issuer") announces the offering to the public of €25 million Unsecured Bonds ("Bond/s") due in 2024 at the rate of 4.4% per annum with a nominal value of €1000 per Bond issued at par. The Bonds are guaranteed by Timan Investments Holdings Limited. (Timan Investments Holdings Limited is the parent company of the Issuer). VDH Group has over 25 years of real estate development experience in Europe including Malta, Spain, United States, Poland and Germany. Since 1989 the group concluded investment programs in the real estate markets with a value of more than approx Euro 350 million. The value of investments may increase as well as decrease and past performance is not an indication of future performance. Prospective investors are urged to read the Prospectus dated the 30 th January 2017 especially the sections entitled Risk Factors and are to refer to the guarantee contained in Annex B of the Securities Note forming part of the prospectus for a description of the scope, nature and term of the guarantee. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained free of charge during office hours from the office of Calamatta Cuschieri Investment Services Limited (as Sponsor) at Ewropa Business Centre, Triq Dun Karm, B'Kara. The Prospectus may also be downloaded from the following websites: Calamatta Cuschieri Investment Services Limited - www.cc.com.mt Von der Heyden Group Finance p.l.c - www.vdhgroup.com Offer Extended till the 10th of March 2017. Prospective investors are urged to consult a duly authorised investment advisor for advice prior to investing in the Bonds. Von der Heyden Group Palazzo Spinola 46, St. Christopher Street Valletta, VLT1464 Malta Tel.: +356 27792200 Web: www.vdhgroup.com ISSUED BY VON DER HEYDEN GROUP. NEW BOND ISSUE SPONSOR, MANAGER & REGISTRAR 25 688 688 info@cc.com.mt CALAMATTA CUSCHIERI IS LICENSED BY THE MFSA. Operation Sophia commander in Malta to meet Libyan coast guard trainees Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi (right) welcoming Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino to the AFM's training centre