Minister, AFM commander in Spain for 5+5 military exercise

Home affairs minister Manuel Mallia and AFM commander Jeffrey Curmi attended a 5+5 Defence exercise, codenamed SEABORDER 14, in Spain, which marked the 10th Anniversary of the 5+5 Initiative and was coordinated by the current Spanish Presidency.

The exercise took place on 25 September off the coast of Malaga in Spain, which saw several Mediterranean countries participate in tactical evolutions including, maritime law enforcement, medical evacuations, ship boarding procedures and ship to ship communications.

Present for the final exercise were defence ministers and high ranking military officials.

"This exercise not only helps to standardize procedures and improve on the current naval abilities of the participating countries, but presents an excellent opportunity for high level dialogue between member states," the government said.

Historically, the 5+5 Dialogue was launched in 1983 by France, but took shape in July 1990. The aim was to promote cooperation between the countries bordering the western Mediterranean, including France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, later joined by Malta (the North bank) and Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia (the South bank).