Official visit of Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Viktor Chirkov to Italy started on Sept 25.
According to the program, Viktor Chirkov will visit Rome and Taranto. The Russian Navy Commander will meet with Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo di Paola , Chief of Defense General Staff Gen. Biagio Abrate , and Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Luigi Binelli Mantelli .
At the meeting, parties will analyze condition and prospects for bilateral naval cooperation, and discuss issues of the IONIEX-2012 joint exercise scheduled in Nov 2012.
As for Admiral Viktor Chirkov, main purpose of this exercise is interaction between Russian and Italian navies, and preparation of ship commanding officers and headquarters for joint naval operations.
During his visit to Italian Navy’s main base Taranto, Admiral Chirkov will meet with the base command, crew of aircraft carrier Cavour , and visit productive facilities of local shipyards.
The visit will last till Sept 29.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, September 27, 2012