Eurasia Partnership Capstone 2011 Concludes

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Caitlin Conroy, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/ Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

VALLETTA, Malta (NNS) -- More than 100 multinational naval and coast guard representatives attended the final days of Eurasia Partnership Capstone (EPC) 2011 after kicking off the weeklong collaboration Dec. 4, in Valletta, Malta.

EPC 2011 was cohosted by the armed forces of Malta and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, and was held in Malta for the second time, it included approximately 100 representatives from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Malta, Romania, Ukraine and the United States. These nations focused on strengthening maritime relationships between Eurasian partners.

"The U.S. Navy, as well as our partner navies, face many similar issues or threats; which is why it is so important to be able to work together," said U.S. Navy Lt. Giulliana Vellucci, EPC coordinator.

The maritime environmental protection (MEP) workshop covers regional, national and departmental perspectives on any involved agencies from the United Nations and government of Malta.

"I thought the maritime environmental protection workshop was an excellent opportunity to share information with partner navies and coast guards on the importance of environmental protection and the basic requirements for vessels and naval operations," said John Owens, U.S. Navy on-scene coordinator, regional oil spill preparedness coordinator.

"The topics discussed highlighted the basic needs for all groups to ensure that environmental protection is fully integrated into all planning, training, exercise and operational efforts. Overall it was a very well-rounded workshop," Owens said.

In addition to workshops like maritime environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue and advanced network-enabled maritime interdiction operations, participants also took part in the non-commissioned officer (NCO) workshop. The NCO workshop seeks to develop leadership in partner navies NCOs and to foster relations between those officers and NCOs. The goal is to orient leaders at all levels to utilize their personnel to their full potential.

"This workshop was very useful for me," said Romanian Chief Petty Officer Pascu Romeo. "I found the information the instructors shared with us from personal experiences very interesting, I think many of the men and women from our navy should go through a workshop like this."

Participants also enjoyed helping out the local community.

Where they volunteered at the 'Dar tal-Providenza' (House of Providence), a local home for persons with disabilities, located on the outskirts of Siggiewi, Malta. Dar tal-Providenza welcomed the volunteers and set them to work cleaning and decorating for the upcoming holiday season.

"It feels good to serve the community and feel like you've given something back," said Greek naval officer Lt. Christos Tasiopoulos, who was cleaning with a group of EPC participants. "The residents were very welcoming, it was very touching."

"Id-Dar tal-Providenza was glad to welcome all those persons who while attending a conference and workshops in Malta found time to do volunteer work at our homes," said Father Martin Michallef, director at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. "This initiative was a true expression of solidarity and I am sure it was very rewarding to all."

The goal of EPC 2011 is to spark collaboration to improve maritime security through workshops that range from maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue, maritime environmental protection, leadership development courses for non-commissioned officers and, for the first time during EPC, advanced network-enabled maritime interdiction operations.