NATO SHIPS WILL VISIT ALGIERS, ALGERIA
NATO AFSOUTH Press Release {23}
03 10 03
NATO ships will visit Algeria from 5 to 8 October 2003 when six units from NATO's Mine Countermeasures Force South (MCMFORSOUTH) will be berthed in Algiers. The visit will allow NATO to foster dialogue, co-operation and mutual understanding as part of the ongoing "Mediterranean Dialogue" Programme.
The Commander of the Force, Commander Michael Mann, German Navy, will exchange calls with local civil and military authorities. A programme of briefings and ship tours for Algerian and local embassy officials has been arranged and will involve Algerian Navy Officers, Defence Attaches accredited to Algeria and Embassy staffs. On 8 October, as the Force leaves Algeria, it will conduct naval maneuvers with elements of the Algerian Navy.
MCMFORSOUTH was established as a NATO immediate reaction force in Naples (Italy) on 27 May 1999. Since its activation it has participated in NATO peace support operations Allied Force and Allied Harvest related to the crises in the former republic of Yugoslavia and more recently, Operation Active Endeavour, NATO's maritime contribution to the fight against global terrorism. The ships of the Force rotate every few months and its routine activities consist of an intensive programme of training and participation in both NATO and national exercises. In the last year, the force has visited ports in and out of the Mediterranean Sea, including Odessa (Ukraine) and Tunis, Tunisia.
Nations normally contributing to MCMFORSOUTH are Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, although the composition varies.
During this visit the following ships will be present in Algiers:
FGS Werra, Flagship, Germany
FGS Groemitz, Germany
TCG Erdemli, Turkey
SPS Turia, Spain
HS Evniki, Greece
ITS Lerici, Italy
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
