The Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 will visit Algiers, Algeria, from October 12 to 14, 2015, as part of their annual program of activities, to strengthen the friendship and understanding between Algeria and NATO.
In this context, the Chief of Staff of the Allied Maritime Command, Rear Admiral Giorgio Lazio will meet with the Major General Mohamed Larbi Haouli, Commander Algerian National Navy. This meeting will give them the opportunity to highlight the quality of the cooperation between Algeria and NATO, in particular in the maritime domain and recall their commitment to the importance of strengthening the already existing contacts and those to come.
The visit of the SNMCMG2 in Alger will contribute to reinforce and fortify relations with the Algerian civil and military authorities. This is an excellent opportunity for the military dialogue, to improve mutual understanding and promote cooperation. NATO and Algerian forces will practice together, improving their interoperability through active participation in some military exercises. The Algerian naval units will perform an exercise with this NATO group with Algerian officers to embark on board SNMCMG2 units.
The group Commander is Captain Ramazan KESGIN, Turkish Navy, aboard the flagship, TCG SOKULLU MEHMET PAŞA. The force consists of a flagship and three mine hunters from Germany, Spain and Turkey.
The SNMCMG2 units calling in Alger are:
– TCG SOKULU MEHMET PAŞA, flagship, Turkish Navy
– TCG AKCAKOCA, mine hunter, Turkish Navy
– FGS WEILHEIM, mine hunter, German Navy
– SPS SELLA, mine hunter, Spanish Navy
The members of the NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue’s Programme are Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. Algeria is member since 2000.
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Image: MARCOM