"We are holding this exercise because terrorism is a most serious threat to peace," the Russian admiral said.
"Ionex 2004 includes training operations intended to prevent illegal maritime activities, including interception and possible inspection of a wrongdoer vessel," he added.
The admiral described the forthcoming exercise as "the continuation of strengthening cooperation between our countries, and the continuation of the political dialogue between Russia and Italy."
The joint news conference onboard the Moskva missile cruiser was also presided over by Russian Ambassador to Italy Alexei Meshkov, Commander of the Ionic Naval District Admiral Francesco Ricci, and Commander of the Italian Open Sea Naval Forces Vice Admiral Andrea Toscano.
Meshkov described current relations between Russia and Italy as "an effective partnership." He said that he had called this partnership efficient because all agreements signed at the political level are inevitably implemented.
Meshkov thanked the Italian leadership and people for solidarity with the Russian people in the days of the Beslan siege and after its end, and remarked that it was the Italians who had sent two first airplanes with medicine and equipment to help the victims.
Admiral Francesco Ricci said that the official visit of Russian warships to Taranto enabled the seamen to get to know one another better, apart from their official contacts as representatives of the two fleets. He admired the performance of the Black Sea Fleet Musical Ensemble (the ensemble arrived together with the fleet) and called it "a great help to Italians in learning more about the Russian character and Russian soul."
The naval task force commanded by Adm. Masorin has been in Taranto on an official visit since September 9. On September 13, the last day of the visit, the task force will go to the open sea to hold a joint exercise with Italian warships and aircraft.
