Russian and Danish admirals met in St. Petersburg

09.09.2011 Courtesy meeting between Russia's Baltic Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov and Royal Danish Navy Commander Rear Admiral Finn Hansen was held on Sept 8 in conference hall of the Central Naval Museum, St. Petersburg.

Meeting of the admirals was conducted within the framework of official state visit of Danish Queen Margrethe II, Consort Prince and Prince Royal to the Russian Federation on invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Royal yacht Dannebrog and frigate HMDS Thetis arrived in St. Petersburg on Sept 6 to support the state visit. Russian corvette Stereguschiy acts as a host ship.

During the meeting held in constructive manner, the admirals discussed issues of cooperation between the two navies, including anti-piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden. Those are very important matters for Royal Danish Navy, since "about 10 per cent of global maritime shipping is carried out under Danish flag, and we have a lot to defend", said RADM Hansen.

The meeting resulted in prospects for bilateral naval activities in order to reduce the piracy threat to merchant shipping. The parties agreed to exchange experience achieved by Russian and Danish naval officers while on mission in the Gulf of Aden.

When the meeting was over, Royal Danish Navy Commander and Baltic Fleet Commander exchanged souvenirs, and then RADM Hansen watched exposition of the Central Naval Museum.

Despite the very eventful schedule, Royal Danish Navy Commander Rear Admiral Finn Hansen gave a brief interview to Central Navy Portal.