25.03.2010 Northern Fleet's (NF) delegation headed by Vice Admiral Nikolai Maksimov, NF Commander paid an official visit to Brest. The invitation was extended by Vice Admiral d'Escadre Anne-Francois de Saint Salvy, Commander of Atlantic Fleet, French Navy. Two-day visit included meeting between the commanders; issues of cooperation and partnership between Northern Fleet and French Navy, conducting joint exercises and forthcoming port visits were discussed at the meeting.
In May 2010 Vice Admiral d'Escadre de Saint Salvy will arrive at Northern Fleet on a return visit; he is going to attend the parade on the occasion of 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in the Hero City of Murmansk.
According to NF Information Support Group, northern mariners and their French colleagues are tied with warm and friendly relations. For instance, NF warships along with French, US and British ships regularly participate in joint quadrilateral naval exercise FRUKUS; the four countries rotate each other in the exercise leadership. In 2005 and 2009 the exercise was led by France. Russian warships periodically call at French ports. Late 2008 heavy nuclear-powered missile cruise Petr Veliky called at Toulon; in summer 2009 large ASW ship Severomorsk visited Brest.
French mariners also frequent Northern Fleet. Since 2001 Russia's main naval base Severomorsk has been visited by Adm. Jean-Luc Delaunay, French Navy Chief of Staff (Commander-in-Chief), Jean Cadet, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Russia and Adm. Lorane Meraire, Commander of Atlantic Fleet; guided missile destroyers Montcalm, Latouche Treville, De Grasse and submarine Casabianca.
As it was previously reported, the newest French destroyer Chevalier Paul is expected to pay friendly visit to Northern Fleet late March; the ship will conduct joint drill with one of NF warships. French mariners from another ship – Latouche Treville – will attend military parade to be held in Murmansk on May 9.
Source: b-port, photo: heavy nuclear-powered missile cruise Petr Veliky (snariad.ru)