Berlin proposes NATO formalize Baltic naval cooperation with dedicated headquarters in Germany

Germany has proposed that it host a dedicated NATO headquarters to take responsibility for coordinating the alliance's naval forces in the Baltic Sea region, German press agency dpa reported on Sept. 10.

German Navy Chief Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack said that a headquarters designated for this purpose was already managing the NATO Northern Coasts naval exercise, which began on Sept. 9 in the Baltic Sea.

"There is now a letter from the inspector general to the NATO deputy supreme allied commander Europe, in which we clearly state that we can offer the possibility of establishing a regional headquarters for the Baltic Sea," Kaack said.

Read also: NATO to host inaugural Baltic Sea exercises to send ‘clear signal’ to Putin’s Russia

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the NATO has strengthened its forces on its eastern flank. The Baltic Sea is the main delivery channel for goods, energy, and telecommunications for several NATO members.

Read also: NATO must clearly define 'red lines' for Putin in Europe — Kurt Volker

German navy chief argues it is now necessary to move from peacetime conditions to the management of larger naval formations in the Baltic Sea. German naval specialists stationed in the German port city of Rostock in the western Baltic Sea region are able to handle this task, Kaack said.

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