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Last update: 21-Jun-2006 17:13 NATO Update

19 June 2006

 

NATO and partners practice joint maritime missions

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NATO exercise with Partners in the Black Sea

From 19 to 30 June, over 2000 personnel and some 25 ships from NATO and Partner countries are rehearsing joint operations at sea in and around Constanta, Romania.

Nine NATO countries are taking part (Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom), four Partner countries (Albania, Azerbaijan, Croatia and Georgia) as well as two Mediterranean Dialogue countries (Algeria and Israel).

In addition, for the first time, the exercise is being observed by a country from NATO’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative – the United Arab Emirates .

Developing interoperability

The exercise, codenamed Cooperative Mako 2006, is part of NATO’s programme of cooperation with partners, aimed at ensuring that NATO and its partners can mount joint missions when necessary.

The scenario will test the ability of the participating forces to carry out a wide range of tasks.

Teams from the United Nations and Red Cross will be participating in the exercise, practicing civil-military cooperation in refugee control and disaster relief.