MOSCOW, March 5 (UPI) -- Russian Navy Adm. Vladimir Masorin wants to see the United States join in a proposed international submarine navigation safety pact in the near future.
The Russian naval commander-in-chief Monday called for the 14-nation agreement to prevent incidents at sea to be signed soon, RIA Novosti reported. The United States has been reluctant to sign, he said.
"Our Navy meticulously observes it," Masorin said. We would like to sign agreements to ensure submarine navigational safety."
Masorin also said the Russian Navy would continue to take part in the NATO-led anti-terrorist Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean. "Our Navy cannot exist on its own. We need to integrate into international structures," he said.
Masorin said the U.S. Navy had declined the Russians' invitation to exchange submarine visits but that Russian warships will call at U.S. ports this year as part of an exercise. The multinational maneuvers take place in the eastern Atlantic Ocean with France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States taking part.
"It is very important that the United States does not forget that Russia has a navy," Masorin said.
