Lieutenant General Valeriu Nicut, deputy chief of General Staff for operations and training, met with Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi, Deputy Operation Commander, Operation Atalanta EU NAVAL FORCES, at the defence ministry, on Tuesday, 25 September, during the latter`s visit in Romania.

Romanian military`s participation in NATO and EU-led missions and operations and the first time involvement of the Navy in Operation Atalanta were the main topics approached by the two officials.

Lieutenant General Valeriu Nicut pointed out that participating in EU counter-piracy mission in Gulf of Aden with 'Regele Ferdinand' frigate is a first for the Romanian Armed Forces and shows the commitment of our country to be up to its commitments as an EU member in deterring piracy and protecting international navigation.
Rear Admiral Gualtiero Mattesi thanked the Romanian part for contributing to Operation Atalanta and voiced the hope that the joint efforts of the EU member countries would make the Gulf of Aden a safer and more stable area.

The deputy chief of General Staff for operations and training informed Rear Admiral Mattesi that 'Regele Ferdinand' frigate is marching to the area of operations so that around 1 October it will join the forces in the Gulf of Aden.

'Regele Ferdinand' frigate with a crew of 236 and a PUMA helicopter is sailing to the Gulf of Aden since 12 September. The Romanian ship will operate within Operation Atalanta during October and November 2012.

MoND Press Office