NATO reviews package of measures on Black Sea security

“Ministers also reviewed the implementation of the package of measures on the Black Sea security that we adopted in April. This includes the training of maritime forces and coast guards. Port visits and exercises. And sharing information. The recent visits of the North Atlantic Council to both Georgia and Ukraine were a good opportunity to see this package in action. NATO’s standing naval groups have been exercising with Georgia and Ukrainian ships, improving our ability to work together,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Foreign Ministers in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

He noted that the Allies also continue regular patrols and NATO air policing in the Black Sea region.

“At the same time, we welcome that Russia has finally returned the Ukrainian vessels it seized last November. This is what the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea had requested. And it is a step in the right direction ahead of the Normandy format summit next month,” Stoltenberg added.                     

The leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany and Russia are expected to meet in Paris on December 9.

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