RIGA, Feb 13 (LETA) - The Luymes, which is the flagship of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1), called at the port of Liepaja on Wednesday, LETA was told at the Defense Ministry.

During the visit, the group's Commander, Belgian Navy Commander Erik Kockx, will meet with Lieutenant Commander Jurijs Andrejevs, Deputy Commander of the Latvian Navy's Minesweeper Squadron, to discuss regional security, current and future cooperation, as well as the protection of NATO's underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

The visit is part of NATO's Baltic Sea patrol mission Baltic Sentry, launched in response to recent incidents involving subsea infrastructure, reinforcing the Alliance's role in ensuring security and stability in the region.

The main mission of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasure Group 1, which is part of the naval component of the alliance's Response Force (NRF), is to provide NATO with continuous MCM capability for NRF and non-NRF operations and other activities in peacetime and periods of crisis and conflict.

The group's tasks include patrolling, during which NATO presence is demonstrated at sea and ashore, during port visits.

SNMCMG1 is one of four NATO standing maritime naval Groups.