NATO Commander visits Malta

Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, Allied Joint Force Command Naples (NAVEUR-NAVAF) Admiral Samuel J Locklear III visited Malta for two days last week.

Locklear, also a NATO commander, visited Malta with United States, Malta and Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) officials. He was greeted by AFM commander Martin Xuereb and full military honours which included a review of troops at the AFM headquarters.

The NAVEUR-NAVAF commander also met with director of Defence Matters Vanessa Frazier and US Embassy Charge de Affaires Rick Mills.

During these meetings, Locklear thanked Maltese security officials for contributions toward increasing maritime security throughout the region.

More than 33% of the world merchant traffic passes between Malta and Sicily and more than 80% of Europe’s energy resources travel nearby.

Locklear said that Malta’s role in maintaining maritime domain awareness was considered critical.  

Xuereb and Frazier were also thanked by Locklear for their role in facilitating cooperation between the U.S., European and African countries.

“Malta’s assistance in bringing nations from both continents together to work on common goals contributes greatly to international maritime security,” Locklear said.