EU military delegation visited Ukrainian Navy

25.10.2010 Military delegation led by Gen. Hakan Siren, Chairman of the EU Military Committee arrived to Sevastopol on Oct 22 within the framework of Ukrainian visit.

During their stay in Sevastopol, guests visited Ukrainian Navy HQ and met with acting Navy Commander RADM Yury Ilyin. Among other attendants of the meeting were Deputy Chief of General Staff VADM Igor Kabanenko and Swedish military attaché in Ukraine Col. Christer Holm.

"Participation in international peacekeeping activities is one of the top priorities of Ukrainian Navy; in particular, joint anti-terror and anti-piracy operations", said Yury Ilyin. "For instance, in the nearest days a Ukrainian officer will be posted to Operation Atalanta HQ (Northwood); in November 2010 Ukrainian corvette Ternopil will take part in Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean Sea", specified the admiral.

In return, Gen. Hakan Siren expressed hope that Ukrainian servicemen would demonstrate high professionalism in all forthcoming international activities, including the EU-led operations; geography of Ukrainian Navy's further participation in joint anti-crisis actions would be expanded.

According to the general, national navy is a powerful tool for further euro-integration of Ukraine; the actions of Ukrainian Navy are and will be one of the most important Ukraine's contributions to European security and international cooperation.

The EU delegation was offered to hear a briefing on current state, capabilities, development prospects, and participation of Ukrainian Navy in next year's international peacekeeping activities.

Upon termination of the meeting, foreign guests visited large landing ship Kostyantin Olshansky and command ship Slavutich.

It should be noted that the visit of EU military delegation was held in accordance with Ukrainian defense ministry's international cooperation event schedule for Oct-Nov 2010.