Tallinn hosts forum of 26 European navies
Navy leaders from 26 European countries will convene in Tallinn for an unofficial, apolitical forum on Friday in order to discuss various current affairs.
The forum was prefaced by the arrival of Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1), one of NATO’s four standing maritime Immediate Reaction Forces, in Tallinn on Thursday morning. According to ERR’s television news, SNMG1, which currently consists of the Spanish Navy’s air defense frigate ESPS Álvaro de Bazán (F101) and the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Iron Duke (F234), is scheduled to remain in Tallinn through Sunday.
The objective of the unofficial and apolitical forum — whose focus this year, as chosen by the hosting Estonia, will be on the topic of operation in tight conditions and shallow coastal waters — is to promote mutual understanding between cooperating navies, explore topics of common and mutual interests as well as increase maritime awareness in participating countries.
This year’s forum will include naval leaders from Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey.
Also observing will be Vice Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander of the United States Sixth Fleet, as well as Vice Adm. Clive C. C. Johnstone, commander of the NATO Allied Maritime Command.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik