Albanian Naval Force in cooperation with institutions interested in the maritime area held today in Vlora Bay the Joint Exercise "Vlora SAREX 16". Effectives of Naval Flotilla Pashaliman, that participated in this exercise, simulated the prevention of human trafficking and detained the human trafficking and their tools in the area of responsibility, as well as a simulated search and rescue operation (SAR) for tools that can suffer breakdown during the navigation.
In his speech about the "Vlora SAREX 16" training, Deputy Defence Minister Mr. Petro Koçi, considered this exercise as a very important one for the qualification and readiness of our sailors. "Our Naval Force should get more qualifications. It must always be ready to respond to any risk situation efficiently. We already know that the situation in the region can bring in our maritime space and even in our land territory, refugee crossings, or it may have as it used to be previously, other developments relating to illegal activity in the maritime space. It definitely requires constant training and course coordination with other institutions that have interests in the maritime area because our Naval Force is not the only force or institution that is responsible for maritime space. "- he said.
Mr. Koçi responded to media interest regarding the safety of maritime space in general and in particular about the Bay of Vlora, by saying that they are managed and controlled. " This is a space for our Naval Force that always asks continual presence. The personnel that we have are trained and skilled, so obviously we will respond to the level that the law requires to any kind of situation. ”
The institutional training "Vlora SAREX 16" was attended by the Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Major General Jeronim Bazo and the Mayor of Vlora Mr. Dritan Leli, who considered this activity as a very important exercise for the safety of tourists during the tourist season.
