A number of VIPs, including parliamentary secretary Tony Abela, Italian ambassador Alvise Memmo and Armed Forces of Malta commander Brigadier Carmel Vassallo yesterday paid a visit to one of the Italian ships to watch the final exercises.

This year was the 11th time such a programme has taken place. Algeria, Jordan and Morocco were observing the programme.

Major Martin Cauchi-Inglott, the officer in tactical command of the operation, explained that the exercise began on Monday and is expected to officially come to an end this evening. Among other exercises, army personnel conducted tactical manoeuvring, search and rescue operations, escape exercises, escape interdiction and fire-fighting exercises.

He said the search and rescue operation took place to the southwest of Malta on Tuesday while around four successful towing operations were also carried out.

Due to the weather conditions yesterday, the planned exercise – mainly the aircraft manoeuvres – could not take place because the wind was too strong and was constantly changing direction.

A fast rope demonstration, which had also been planned, began but had to be stopped because the helicopter pilot was finding it difficult to control the aircraft. However, a rescue and assistance demonstration was successfully carried out and the exercise ended with a flypast by all the aircraft participating in the mission.

A total of 12 sea vessels, four helicopters and two aeroplanes took part in this year’s Canale exercise.

Brigadier Vassallo said the aim of the exercise was to promote cooperation and peace in the Mediterranean region by conducting naval and air operations involving units of the Maltese and Italian Armed Forces.

He added that as a new European member state, the country was now also responsible for security in the Mediterranean region, especially in view of its important and strategic geographic position.

Mr Abela said Malta has always given great importance to the security in the Mediterranean area and added that relations between Malta and Italy have always been extremely good. He said this exercise is one in a series which will continue to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.