NATO ships enter Georgia to participate in three-day drills for the first time

Two NATO ships have entered Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi earlier today. Photo: Georgia’s Border Police press office.

Agenda.ge, 25 Oct 2019 - 17:13, Tbilisi,Georgia

 The Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) has entered Georgia’s coastal city of Batumi earlier today to participate in three-day drills with Georgia’s coast guard personnel.

The SNMCMG2 is represented by two ships - the ITS VESUVIO (Italy) and TCG AMASRA (Turkey).

It is the first time NATO ships will be involved in three-day drills with Georgian coast guard personnel,” the Georgian Border Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

Head of the Georgian Border Police Temur Kekelidze says that the visit “is very important.”

Georgia says that the visit of NATO ships is very important. Photo: Georgian Border Police press office. 

The visit is very important as it carries a strong signal for the support of Georgia’s NATO integration. It is also significant from the practical point of view as it will boost the Georgian coast guard system’s compliance with NATO standards,” Kekelidze said.

SNMCMG2 is head by Captain Alessandro Falcone, who stated that Georgia is “one of the closest allies of NATO,” and the visit of the NATO ships points at the “close partnership” between the alliance and Georgia.

The joint drills will take place between October 28 and 30, covering joint underwater operations and manoeuvring.

Head of the Georgian Border Police Temur Kekelidze welcomed the guests with top figures of Adjara government. Photo: Georgian Border Police press office. 

SNMCMG2 normally comprises five mine hunters or mine sweepers and a support ship from NATO nations.

The US ship Porter (DDG 78) which arrived in Batumi for a port visit on October 22 left the city earlier today.