(ANSA) - TARANTO, DECEMBER 28 - "I confirm the presence of Russian ships in the Mediterranean. So we have the task of monitoring the Mediterranean and closely monitoring these ships. A strong message from the point of view of the strategic communication that the alliance gives".
This was stated by the commander in chief of the Naval Squad, Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, answering a question from journalists on the sidelines of the rotation ceremony of the Tactical Command of Operation MediterraneoSicuro (OMS), which took place today on board the amphibious ship SanGiorgio, moored at the Mar Grande naval station in Taranto.
"What I want to highlight - added De Carolis - is that as the Italian Navy we operate in a fully synergistic context with the other Allied Navies operating in the Mediterranean and with all the other operations".
"Those - he specified - of the European Union such as the Irini operation, and of NATO such as the 'Sea Guardian', and the even more important one which sees the American aircraft carrier Bush permanently present in the Mediterranean, on board which I was on 15 December.
Our ship Doria was at that moment in charge of taking care of its air protection.
We are very pleased with this". The admiral also explained that "since the beginning of the year the commitment of the Italian Navy in operational activities has been intensified.
This translates into a greater number of ships at sea, therefore a more intense effort for our crews, so much so that even on the occasion of these holidays there are several of our ships that are at sea, some of which left right here from Taranto: yesterday - he concluded - the destroyer Andrea Doria which is inserted in the permanent force of NATO which operates in the Mediterranean". (ANSA).