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The minelayer and net layer "Vice admiral Constantin Balescu" (274) is returning from the Mediterranean Sea on January 9, at the Constanta military port, after taking part in the EUNAVFOR Med "IRINI" European Union Operation, the Romanian Navy General Staff (SMFN) informed on Thursday.
The Romanian military vessel left the country on September 23, and during the period of October 1 - December 31, was integrated in the permanent naval group of the EU in the Mediterranean. It carried out missions of ensuring the weapons embargo for Libya is kept by the UN and countering illicit traffic of oil products, drugs and people, by monitoring maritime activity and by executing inspections of suspicious vessels in the Mediterranean Sea.
"Throughout the three months participation in the "IRINI" Operation, the minelayer and net layer 274 traveled 10,000 nautical miles, in 1,200 hours of marching, interrogated over 230 commercial vessels that were crossing the responsibility area, executed 25 IMINT (Imagery Intelligence - analyzing cargo through photos) type actions, and for 10 of these there were visits for promoting the values of the European Union and raising awareness of the importance of maritime regional security", according to the press release sent by SMFN.
According to the quoted source, the participation of the Romanian Naval Forces to the EUNAVFOR MED "IRINI" Operation contributes to completing the objectives of the Joint Security and Defence Policy (PSAC) of the European Union, as well as improving the security situation in the Mediterranean Sea. This being the second military vessel of our country that is taking part in an EU operation, the first participation being recorded 10 years ago, in 2012, with the participation of the "Regele Ferdinand" frigate to the "Atalanta" EU fight operation against naval piracy in the Indian Ocean (Aden Gold and Somali Basin).
Commanded by captain-commander Daniel Gheorma, the Romanian military vessel has fulfilled, for its second consecutive year, a mission of major interest of the Romanian Naval Forces. During the period of January - Jun 2020, the "Vice admiral Constantin Balescu" minelayer ensured the command of the NATO permanent naval fighting group against SNMCMG-2 mines (Standing NATO Maritime Counter Measures Group Two), with whom it executed specific missions in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, being longest fighting mission executed by a Romanian military vessel in a naval theater of operations.
The presence of Romanian military navy in the missions carried out by the North-Atlantic Alliance and the European Union in the maritime theaters of operations proves the fact that the Romanian Naval Forces are a dynamic and flexible structure, a trustworthy partner for allies and an active player in implementing collective defence policy.
