A NATO/PfP joint combined exercise ''COOPERATIVE PARTNER 2003" will be organized between June 20 and July 5, 03 in the Ukraine territorial sea and the international waters of the Black Sea. The exercise is focused on operations of response to a crisis and humanitarian relief.

''COOPERATIVE PARTNER 2003"is an yearly exercise hosted in rotation by the states riparian to the Black Sea and the PfP members. This is the ninth edition and last year it was hosted by Romania. The activity is organized by AFSOUTH and led by NAVSOUTH and STRIKFORSOUTH.

The Black Sea riparians, Greece, France, Italy and USA and STANAVFORMED and MCMFORSOUTH are participating to this exercise with staff officers, navy and air forces.

The Romanian navy forces will participate with ''Marasesti'' frigate, ''Slt.Alexandru Axente'' maritime mine sweeper, a group of mine layer and sweeper scuba divers (EOD), two staff officers for the Joint Operational Center, one officer for the NATO team of evaluators and one officer for the Command of the submarines inTurkey.

Navy Staff