"The current voyage of the Azov from Sevastopol to Montenegro is important not only because we are taking part in ceremonies held to celebrate events significant in the Russian history but also because it helps upgrade the professional qualifications of our personnel," the mission's head, Commodore Oleg Garamov, told RIA Novosti by phone.
According to him, "a number of training tactical objectives have been achieved in the course of the mission, with the Azov proving its high efficiency in the exercise."
In addition, Oleg Garamov emphasized, "the very presence of the Russian Navy's St.Andrew's flag in the Mediterranean is of vital importance."
The ship's crew is also to present a large cultural program. The `Andreyevsky Flag` (St.Angrew's Flag) music group will give a concert in the building, which had housed the first Russian consulate in Kotor, while a military orchestra is going to march up the streets of this ancient city. Moreover, city residents will be able to get aboard the Azov and have a tour of the ship's premises.
On Sunday, October 24, Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Jukanovic and other senior officials are to visit the Russian warship.
