Four NATO ships in Batumi for joint drills with Georgian Coast Guards
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Four North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ships are stationed in Batumi in west Georgia to participate in joint trainings with Georgian Coast Guards.
The ships, which are part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) and tasked to respond immediately in the Mediterranean area, will remain in Georgia until February 15.
The major aim of their visit was to teach Georgia how to better its Coast Guard operations and how to react in different situations.
Currently the NATO ships are involved in the Active Efforts operation in Mediterranean waters, which also ensures safe international traffic on the Black Sea.
The ships are part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2). Photo by the Interior Ministry.
Georgia’s Interior Ministry’s Coast Guard Department has been part of the Active Efforts operation since 2010 and cooperated with the mission through the exchange of information.
Within the operation, NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Giorgio Lazio will come to Georgia tomorrow and meet Georgia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Mgebrishvili in Batumi.
Georgia’s Interior Ministry’s Coast Guard Department has been part of the Active Efforts operation since 2010. Photo by the Interior Ministry.
The SNMCMG2 normally comprises of eight mine sweepers and a support ship from Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The SNMCMG2 participates in NATO exercises or in real-time missions. It is deployed primarily in the Mediterranean area but, as required, was available anywhere NATO need.
The new basin, constructed with $14 million funding from the United States (US) government, provided docking space for up to 15 vessels and ensured ensure the Georgian Coast Guard now functioned as an important operational centre.
A five-day seminar about the role of a new Georgia-United States (US) maritime centre has begun in Tbilisi.
Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg says Georgia is one of NATO’s closest partners and the Alliance is ready to offer continued support for the country.
The flagship vessel of the United States (US) Navy’s Sixth Fleet has made a port visit in Georgia’s Black Sea port town Batumi in a bid to promote peace and stability in the region.
The Georgian-American military drills for special operations forces have officially closed in Georgia's capital Tbilisi today.
Georgia's Coast Guard is being bolstered by the addition of two patrol boats gifted by the United States (US) government.
NATO ships entered Georgian waters yesterday and stopped at Poti port in the country’s western, coastal region for joint naval drills.
The US government has given Georgia two Island-class patrol boats on the 20th anniversary of the Georgian Coast Guard.Georgia named the boats Ochamchire and Dioskuria. Ochamchire is a town in Georgia’s currently occupied Abkhazia region, while Diosluria is the ancient name of Sokhumi in the same region.