French frigate Commandant Birot arrived in Novorossiysk, Russia with a 5-day visit. The ship moored downtown Novorossiysk at the city sea port where the solemn meeting ceremony took place.
Right after arrival in the Russian port, French officers visited Novorossiysk city administration and met with city mayor Vladimir Sinegovsky , and then paid a protocol visit to Novorossiysk Naval Base Acting Commander Capt 1 rank Oleg Shastov .
Later on that day, a press conference for Russian press was held on board the French frigate.
A number of consultations will be conducted during the visit in order to hold joint naval drill with participation of Commandant Birot frigate and one of the ships of Novorossiysk Naval Base.
In addition, French mariners will lay a wreath at the Heroes Square memorial, and visit museum cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov . Servicemen of the two countries will compete in soccer and tug-of-war. Two days the French ship will be open for public.
The formal call of the French frigate to Russian port will last till Dec 6.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , December 05, 2011; Image: merchantships