Estonia to Take Part in Open Spirit-2002 International Exercises

The Kalev minesweeper of the Estonian navy will leave for the Latvian territorial waters where, as part of the Baltic squadron of minesweepers (Baltron), it will participate in the annual international exercises under the code name of Open Spirit-2002. Taking part in the exercises will be 24 ships from 13 countries.

The navy staff of the republic reported that the main aim of the exercises to be headed by Germany is to conduct an operation for searching explosives in the Baltic Sea which have remained there since the First and Second World Wars. In particular, this operation will be held near the Riga Gulf and Irba Strait.

On the whole, the Estonian navy staff points out, the exercises will last till November 1st.