The main aim of this study is to investigate which structural ideas that lies behind the European Union’s marine operation Atalanta that has been put into motion to counteract piracy and robbery outside the coast of Somalia. In order to do this, we have with the use of the theory of weak states, intervention as well as sovereignty, investigated EU’s document in the question with the use of the idea centered analytical method. The questions that has guided this study, lies both on an empirical and theoretical level. On the basis of a theoretical perspective we have investigatet how the principle of sovereignty and thoughts on intervention affects the international community’s handling of the potential problems in weak states. On the empirical level we investigated which conceptions and structural ideas that can explain EU’s strategy in the set up and execution of operation Atalanta.

The study sowed that the humanitarian ideal is the most prominent idea behind this operation. It also showed that there is a realistic view behind the operation. This view means that one always ought to win something on every operation one executes. Further more, we noticed that the principle of sovereignty ever since the Cold War had to stand back in favor of humanitarian interventions. This can be explained by the fact that human rights has become a stronger ideal. However, the question regarding when it is right and who has he right to intervene is still an object of discussion on both a theoretical level and from case to case.

Key words: intervention, weak states, sovereignty, Somlia, Atalanta, EU