27/03/23 (Agence Europe) – As announced (see EUROPE 13146/29), the EU and the US conducted a joint naval exercise in the Indo-Pacific region on 23 and 24 March. It took place in the framework of EU-US patrols and the exercise of freedom of navigation on the high seas and involved the USS Paul Hamilton, as well as the Spanish Reina Sofia and the Italian Carlo Bergamini of the EU naval force in charge of Operation Atalanta. The exercise included professional exchanges on boarding procedures, ship navigation and training to improve interoperability and integration, according to a joint statement. The exercise was held as part of the EU and United States joint commitment to work towards practical maritime cooperation and to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (CG)