EBU NATO ships

Описание: DOPESHEET

Five NATO ships arrived in the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda to bolster defense in the region amid tensions with Russia over Ukraine.

At a ceremony, Defense Minister Juozas Olekas welcomed the ships -- four minesweepers and a support vessel from Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and Estonia.

NATO deployed the naval group to the Baltic Sea last week, saying it indicated "the alliance's commitment to the safety and security of the Baltic member states".

NATO ships would also visit other Baltic ports and participate in a mine-hunting operation in neighboring Latvia later this month.

Russian actions in Ukraine have rattled nerves in the Baltic States, which were occupied and annexed by Moscow during World War II.

SHOTLIST:

Soundbite (English), ROBERT J. KAMENSKY, Rear Admiral, Deputy Chief of Staff Submarines NATO Maritime Command:
We NATO working to the direction of the North Atlantic Council's direction from the political side are taking a more proactive stance in displaying maritime forces, particularly here in the Baltics, in order to assure our Allies, other members of NATE, that we are here.

Soundbite (English), ROBERT J. KAMENSKY, Rear Admiral, Deputy Chief of Staff Submarines NATO Maritime Command:
Russia has taken a very strong position in the BLACK SEA and has increased its presence and has been... Agresive in their action. NATO which borders along the Black Sea as well with some of our NATO nations have chosen to take what we would consider a non aggressive position so we can allow diplomatic and political process to attempt to bring to resolution.