MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean, Argentine naval forces parade in Punta Arenas

Chilean Navy's "Esmeralda"

A joint parade of Argentine and Chilean naval schools graduates took place Sunday in Punta Arenas Main Square followed by a march along the city's streets, the first time ever of such an event.

On Saturday Argentina's naval school frigate Libertad docked in Punta Arenas and with a few hours difference the Chilean Navy's "Esmeralda". "This is a historic milestone; it's the first time the Argentine naval academy vessel and our "Esmeralda" coincide in Punta Arenas", said R/A Felipe Ojeda, commander of Naval Zone III. He added the joint parade was a display of coordination and the good relations between both forces. It was also the first time Libertad, at the last leg of her academic year global tour, visited Punta Arenas since 1988. "We're on the right course, on the course of peace, particularly this year when we are celebrating 30 years of integration and just a few days away from the joint ceremony in the limit area of the extreme south of Argentina and Chile", said R/A Daniel Martin, commander of the Argentine Austral Naval Area. "This is homage to our friendship and the close links which strengthen daily", he added. Both naval chiefs underlined the current coordination of the Combined Naval Patrol in the southern seas and Antarctic waters with the Chilean ice tug Lautaro on duty during November, while the Argentine support vessel Suboficial Castillo remains ready in Ushuaia in case of an emergency. "This is the eleventh season we are involved in the combined patrol, which we have been consistently improving in communications, coordination and security cooperation", said R/A Ojeda. Libertad is scheduled Monday to leave for Argentina and Esmeralda returns to her base in Valparaíso on Tuesday. .