Russia took command of the naval group BLACKSEAFOR

Addressing the ceremony, the commander in chief said that the current annual change of command is the jubilee, the tenth. "Since 2001, the CPA member countries BLACKSEAFOR have done much to exclude the emergence of new threats in the Black Sea region" – said the admiral. Among those threats, he called terrorism, organized crime and environmental risks: "They could be here, if the Navy does not put country BLACKSEAFOR so much effort to prevent this", – said the commander in chief. – As a result of the Black Sea region, a situation that member countries "BLACKSEAFOR" is described as favorable in terms of security and stability. "Evaluating the results of ten-year group, which includes Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, Romania and Ukraine, the commander said: "We have made ​​progress in working out issues of interoperability of forces and the implementation of the provisions of new documents on BLACKSEAFOR». Controlling the action of Russia will be within a year, and then give the command of Turkey. BLACKSEAFOR Agreement on the establishment was signed on April 2, 2001 in Istanbul and to next year, ratified by all participating countries. The naval group could conduct operations to humanitarian relief, environmental protection, mine clearance, and rescue and search operations. In addition, BLACKSEAFOR can participate in the operations of the UN, OSCE and in other international activities. The group consists of six ships of various types. Doctrine "BLACKSEAFOR" is held twice a year – in April and August, similar to the ITAR-TASS.