PETROPAVLOVSK KAMCHATSKY, April 30 (RIA Novosti, Oksana Guseva) - A US Coast Guard delegation has completed an official visit to Kamchatka peninsula, Russian Far East, which resulted in signing an agreement on further cooperation and approving a plan of joint actions and patrolling in 2005.
A Russian FSB Coast Guard North Eastern department official told RIA Novosti that the main part of the delegation led by US Coast Guard 17th District Commander, Rear Admiral James Olson had left the peninsula on board a C-130 Hercules military aircraft.
The sides discussed joint activities, including a meeting in Washington on a bilateral draft agreement on cooperation in observing fishery-regulating laws in the Bering Sea. They said the joint efforts contributed to ensuring the two countries' national security.
The border guards started cooperating in 1995, after the two countries' relevant coast guard services had signed a memorandum of understanding and launched joint patrolling in the Pacific Ocean's northwestern part.
The border guards hold joint exercises, share service experience and exchange information on fisheries and violator vessels.
A total of 35 events to stop illegal sea fishery and 15 search and rescue operations have been held since.
