Release Number: 33-02<br /> 28 October 2002<br /><br />NATO SHIPS WILL VISIT TUNIS, TUNISIA<br /><br />NATO ships will visit Tunis, Tunisia, 30 Oct 2 Nov 2002 when six units from NATO’s Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED) will be berthed at the port of Tunis. <br />The visit will allow NATO to foster dialogue, co-operation and mutual understanding as part of NATO’s ongoing “Mediterranean Dialogue” Programme.<br /><br />The Commander of the Force, Commodore Philip Wirth, Royal Netherlands Navy, will exchange calls with local civil and military authorities. Crews of the ships will take the opportunity to exchange professional experiences gained during recent operations. <br /><br />A programme of briefings and ship tours for Tunisian and local embassy officials has been arranged and will involve Tunisian Navy Officers, Defence Attaches accredited to Tunisia and Embassy staffs. A cultural programme will allow the crews to visit some of the highlights of the city of Tunis and the surrounding area. <br /><br />STANAVFORMED was established as a NATO immediate reaction force in Naples (Italy) on 30 April 1992. Since its activation it has participated in NATO peace support operations related to the crises in the former republic of Yugoslavia and more recently, Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s maritime contribution to the fight against global terrorism. The ships of the force rotate every few months and its routine activities consist of an intensive programme of training and participation in both NATO and national exercises. In the last year, the force has also visited ports in and out of the Mediterranean Sea, including Casablanca (Morocco), Algiers (Algeria) and Constanta (Romania).<br />Nations normally contributing to STANAVFORMED are Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. <br /><br />On the occasion of the visit the following ships will be present in Tunis:<br />HNLMS WITTE de WITH, Netherlands (Flagship) <br />FGS MOELDERS, Germany <br />HS AEGEAN, Greece <br />SPS ASTURIAS, Spain <br />ITS GRANATIERE, Italy <br />HMS EDINBURGH, United Kingdom <br /><br />NOTE TO EDITORS:<br />There will be a press conference and media tour onboard the flagship at 0900 (local) on 01 Nov 02.<br />Point of contact for enquiries:<br />Netherlands Embassy in Tunis: +216 71799442<br />RHQ AFSOUTH PIO 0039 081 721 2437 <br />NOTE: More background info on Mediterranean Dialogue is available at the Internet Home Page<br /> http://www.nato.int/med-dial/home.htm<br />More information about STANAVFORMED is available at the page http://www.afsouth.nato.int/FACTSHEETS/stanavformed.htm<br />More information about Operation Active Endeavour is available at the page<br />http://www.afsouth.nato.int/operations/Endeavour/default.htm