Tallinn. April 19. INTERFAX-The traditional spring exercises of NATO minesweepers Open Spirit will start in the waters of the Baltic Sea on Monday.
The exercise will involve 21 ships from 11 countries, including the ships of the First Permanent Mine Action Group of NATO. The Estonian Navy is leading the exercises, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic reported.
"The annual Operation Open Spirit is crucial in ridding the Baltic Sea of all the ammunition that has accumulated here since the First and Second World Wars, and in reducing threats to fisheries, sea routes and the environment. In addition, it promotes cooperation between the Estonian Navy and other countries involved in the operation, " said Lieutenant Commander Jan Wijchers, commander of NATO's First Permanent Mine Action Squadron.
The First Permanent Mine Action Group is one of four similar rapid response units under the command of the NATO Naval Forces. They must be ready to be sent to various places in the world within five days. In this half-year, the main composition of the First Mine Action Squadron includes ships from Germany, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Estonia.