International armies visit to strengthen military ties
The National, Tuesday October 29th, 2013
By BEATRICE BONAKOYA
NEW Caledonian army chief Brig-Gen Luc De Revel was in the country last week to visit Government and defence force officials.
The visit was to strengthen relations between the two countries’ armies and discuss defence bilateral relations.
His visit coincided with the arrival of the French navy frigate Vendemiaire in Port Moresby.
French ambassador to Papua New Guinea Pascal Maubert and director of maritime operations Commander Perry Sundie welcomed the navy ship.
Public relations officer on the French navy vessel Kevin Teulade said 83 sailors – 16 of them females – brought the ship to PNG waters .
The frigate is designed to carry out surveillance and humanitarian missions.
The vessel safeguards French key economic zones against illegal fishing activities.
The ship had met two of PNGDF navy patrol boats during the celebrations commemorating 100 years of the first French navy ship’s arrival in Australia earlier this month.