KYIV. Aug 1 (Interfax-AVN) - Novorossiysk is witnessing the beginning of the August exercises of the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group, Blackseafor, involving the ships of Black Sea countries, including Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia.
The Slavutich command ship will represent the Ukrainian Navy at the exercises, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
Romania is to solemnly hand over command of the group to Russia on August 5, according to the plan of the exercises.
The goals of the group include practicing humanitarian, rescue and demining operations, according to the Istanbul agreement on the creation of Blackseafor signed on April 2, 2001. The agreement provides for goodwill visits to the seaports of Blackseafor members as well.