Press Release 11 Sept. 2003

Exercise Cooperative Engagement 2003 NATO exercises with Partners in the Adriatic Sea NAPLES, ITALY — NATO’s biannual maritime exercise COOPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT 2003 (CE 03) will take place from 13 to 20 September 2003 near Split, Croatia, and in the Adriatic Sea. More than 500 service personnel, 14 ships and 4 aircraft from NATO and Partner nations, will train together in mine countermeasures and search and rescue operations. Overall, forces from 4 NATO nations (Belgium, France, Greece and Italy), together with forces from 4 Invitee Partner nations (Bulgaria, Latvia, Romania and Slovenia), 4 Partner nations (Albania, Croatia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine), 2 countries belonging to the Mediterranean Dialogue (Algeria and Egypt), and NATO’s Southern Region Headquarters will participate in the exercise. The design of CE 03 exercises procedures and communications, showing NATO’s ability to fully integrate assigned multinational Partner forces and allowing an assessment of progress in interoperability. While assuring the required readiness of its own forces, NATO continues its priority of maintaining peace and stability through dialogue and co-operation, to include training with Partner nations. CE 03 is scheduled by the Regional Headquarters Allied Forces Southern Europe (RHQ AFSOUTH), responsible for NATO operations in the Southern Region. It will be conducted by the Headquarters Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe (HQ NAVSOUTH). Note for the editor: From 12 to 21 September 2003, a Press Information Centre (PIC) will be established in Split, Croatia. Media questions prior to the start of the exercise should be addressed to: Public Information Office Allied Forces Southern Europe – (AFSOUTH): Lt Cdr. Harvey Burwin, AFSOUTH PIO; Viale della Liberazione s/n, 80124 Naples/Italy; Telephone: +39 081 721 2239 or 2320; fax +39 081 230 2791 (e-mail: pio@afsouth.nato.int) Media opportunities Interested journalists shall be accredited by bona fide media organisations (press ID or accreditation letter). The PIC will register media representatives for specific events, and escort them during the media tours. Media opportunities listed below are open to all registered journalists. Due to limited number of posts for every event, the PIC cannot guarantee attendance by every interested journalist. [Sat/Sun, 13/14 Sep 03] co-ordinated arrival of maritime forces [Mon, 15 Sep 03] opening press conference & maritime photo opportunities. [Wed, 17 Sep 03] distinguished visitors day [Fri, 19 Sep 03] LIVEX at sea [Sat, 20 Sep 03] closing press conference Remarks: a daily updated list of events will be available at the PIC.