Mediterranean 'safer with Nato'

Nato's operations in the Mediterranean have rendered the region safer and more secure, something from which Malta too is drawing benefit, Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul said yesterday.

Admiral Ertugrul, the commander of the Standing Nato Response Force Maritime Group 2 - which will end a trip to Malta today - said the launch of Operation Active Endeavour has increased the region's stability.

Launched in response of the September 11 attacks, Operation Active Endeavour is a Mediterranean-wide counter terrorism operation involving Nato ships.

Speaking on board the Turkish TCG Salihreis, the flagship of the mission, Admiral Ertugrul described Malta's harbour as one of the safest for a short stop since it enjoyed good weather and people were traditionally hospitable.

Four frigates - the Greek HS Kountouriotis, the Italian ITS Euro and the British HMS Somerset apart from the Turkish flagship - have been here for a five-day visit aimed at giving the staff the opportunity to take a break from life at sea and understand the local culture.

Admiral Ertugural pointed out that the visit was not related to Malta's recent rejoining of the Partnership for Peace, adding that the trip had been scheduled a year in advance. "Malta is one of the strategically important nations in the Mediterranean," he said, underlining the importance of regular visits by Nato's mission.

The SNMG2 is a permanently activated multinational Nato maritime force created as a high readiness group with the intention of being mobile and flexible across a broad spectrum of missions from peace to conflict. The fleet operates under the Allied Maritime Component of Naples and is also part of the maritime component of the Nato Response Force.