Minister Kodheli inspects the inter-institutional exercise “Seagull 14-01”

: Published: Tuesday, 25 February 2014 14:15

Defence Minister Mrs. Mimi Kodheli inspected today the joint exercise conducted by the Simulation Centre and Inter-institutional Maritime Operational Centre (IMOC), encoded “Seagull 14-01”. Minister Kodheli was briefed by the leaders of this exercise about the aim, scenarios, preparation phase, participants and goals of this exercise. She also assessed the high level of responsibility and professionalism of the participants and encouraged the increase of the exercises range with these important institutions.

It is the first time such exercise is being held at the inter-ministerial level, with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Ministry of Economic, Trade and Enterprises Development, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture. At the exercise inspection also attended Deputy Ambassador of the United States, Mr. Henry V. Jardine, defence attachés accredited to our country, representatives of ICITAP, PAMECA IV, etc.

The aim of the exercise “Seagull 14-01” is the increase of interoperability between these institutions and much faster operation in facing different problems. Some of the goals of this exercise are: increase of knowledge and understanding level of IMOC’s mission and responsibility from the participating ministries and supporting agencies; assessment of the cooperation and coordination level between the participating institutions in IMOC on the law enforcement at sea; transfer of commanding authority during operation from one institution to another one; efficient exchange of information between IMOC and agencies of neighbouring countries; increase of the information exchange level between the institutions and partner countries, etc.

After the successfully completing this exercise, all the participants of the institutions have further enhanced their professional skills and are able to assess different situations, make more accurate decisions for the rapid solution of problematic situations created and for a more effective law enforcement at sea.