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BRUSSELS, Feb 27 (KUNA) -- A boarding team comprising Italian marines from
the NATO flagship ITS SAN MARCO, and assault forces of Russian ship
SEVEROMORSK trained together in counter-piracy activities as part of a
bilateral exercise between NATO and Russia in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday.
The event was organised in the context of counter-piracy cooperation agreed
by the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), NATO announced here today.
It was planned as a result of recent meetings at sea between the two naval
forces, and represents a significant step forward towards NATO-Russia
interoperability in counter-piracy activities in the Indian Ocean, said the
Alliance.
"This day will be a milestone in the cooperation between the Russian
Federation and NATO and, I'm sure, its effects will not only be limited to
counter-piracy activities but offers the prospect of other types of
constructive engagement in future." said Rear Admiral Antonio Natale,
commander of NATOs counter piracy task force, at the end of the exercise.
NATO has contributed to the international counter piracy effort off the
Horn of Africa since December 2008. (end)
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