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NATO AFSOUTH Press Release {27}

14 10 03

NATO ships will visit Morocco from 16 to 19 October 2003 when 4 units from NATO's Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) will be berthed in Casablanca. 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, Rear Admiral (RAdm) Hans-Jochen Witthauer, German Navy, will exchange calls with local civil and military authorities.

RAdm Witthauer will conduct a programme of briefings and ship tours for Moroccan and local embassy officials, for Moroccan Navy Officers, Defence Attachés accredited to Morocco and Embassy staffs. On 19 October, as the Force leaves Casablanca, it will conduct naval exercises with elements of the Moroccan Navy. A cultural programme will allow the crews to visit some of the highlights of the city of Casablanca and the surrounding area.

STANAVFORMED was established in Naples (Italy) on 30 April 1992 as a NATO immediate reaction force. Since its activation it has participated in NATO peace support operations related to the crises in former 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 also visited ports in and out of the Mediterranean Sea, including Odessa, Ukraine and La Valletta, Malta.

Nations normally contributing to STANAVFORMED are Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. During this visit the following ships will be present in Casablanca:

FGS Schleswig-Holstein, frigate, Germany (Flagship)
TCG Gaziantep, frigate, Turkey
ITS Zeffiro, frigate, Italy
SPS Asturias, frigate, Spain

NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue was launched at the December 1994 Brussels Ministerial meeting and currently involves seven non-NATO nations: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.

The Dialogue reflects the Allies' view that security in Europe is closely linked to security in the Mediterranean region.

It is an integral part of NATO's external adaptation to the post Cold War security environment, as well as an important component of the Alliance's policy of outreach and cooperation and of its cooperative approach to security.

The aim of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue is to promote a better mutual understanding and confidence, as well as good and friendly relations across the Mediterranean region. In addition, it helps correct misperceptions in Mediterranean Dialogue countries on NATO's policies and goals and it represents NATO's contribution to Mediterranean stability and security. The Alliance's Mediterranean Dialogue complements also other international initiatives such as the Barcelona Process and the Middle East Peace Process.