18 June 2004

Exercise Cooperative Partner 2004 NATO exercises with partners in the Black Sea NATO’s maritime exercise COOPERATIVE PARTNER 2004 (CP 04) will take place from 20 June until 02 July 2004 in Varna, Bulgaria, and in the Black Sea. Approximately 4,000 military personnel, over 40 ships and 11 aircraft from NATO and Partner nations, including NATO standing formations will train together in Crisis Response Operations. Forces from 6 NATO nations: Bulgaria, France, Italy, Romania, Spain and Turkey, together with forces from 3 Partner nations: Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Ukraine, including NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean, Mine Countermeasures Force South, and NATO Southern Region Headquarters will participate in the exercise. Representatives from Mauritania and Morocco, member countries of the Mediterranean Dialogue, will observe the exercise. The unique design of CP 04 exercises procedures and communications, shows NATO’s ability to fully integrate assigned multinational Partner forces and allows an assessment of progress in interoperability. The exercise will include cooperation with local and international non-governmental humanitarian relief organisations. Formal assessment of NATO and Partner mine hunting capability will occur during the exercise. 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. CP 04 is scheduled by the Joint Force Command (Naples) (JFC(N)). It will be conducted by the Headquarters Allied Naval Forces South (HQ NAVSOUTH). Submarine operations carried out as part of CP 04 will be controlled and coordinated by Commander (Turkish Navy) Submarine Black Sea (COMSUBBLACK) in support of COMNAVSOUTH. NOTE FOR THE EDITOR: From 18 June until 02 July 2004, a Press Information Centre (PIC) will be established in Varna, Bulgaria. Media questions prior to the start of the exercise should be addressed to the Public Information Office ALLIED NAVAL FORCES SOUTHERN EUROPE – (NAVSOUTH): Lt Cdr. Harvey BURWIN, NAVSOUTH PIO; Telephone: +39 081 721 6446 (e-mail: hburwin@afsouth.nato.int) MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES Interested journalists shall be accredited by bona fide media organizations (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. 20 Jun Opening Briefing by SNFM SPAO in SNFM Flagship Opening Press Conference in SNFM Flagship Photograph opportunities of vessels in harbour TU Submarine tour 20 – 25 Jun Media visits to training areas to witness events (Diving/Air/ DISTEX/Medical/others) 20-25 Jun Media visit to MCMFS Briefing/ Demonstrations/ interview CMCMFS 27 Jun Media coverage of international social event (Possible interviews with CNS & BU CNO) 2 Jul Closing Press Conference REMARKS: A daily updated list of events will be available at the PIC.