KIEV, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian patrol boat Pryluky and French naval ship Commandant Birot took part in the PASSEX drills in the Black Sea, the Ukrainian Navy's press service said Monday.
"Pryluky patrol boat of the Ukrainian Navy and the French warship Commandant Birot took part in the joint PASSEX navy exercises in the Black Sea on December 1," said a press release.
The Ukrainian Navy's representatives said that the boats of the two countries worked out several tasks to increase compatibility according to NATO standards. At the same time, a main focus was improving the ship crews' skills and actions during the group drills.
It was reported earlier that a corvette of the French Navy, Commandant Birot, entered the port of Odessa on a four-day visit on Nov. 28.
The French boat's command also plans to meet with the representatives of the Ukrainian Navy and attend a number of other events.
The Commandant Birot was put on combat duty by the French Navy in 1984. It is based at the French naval base in Toulon.
