ID :
389567
Tue, 12/01/2015 - 06:46
Auther :

BAE Guayas's Maiden Visit Will Help Strengthen Bilateral Ties - Envoy

PORT KLANG (Selangor, Malaysia), Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The maiden visit by Ecuadorian naval ship, Buque de Armada de Ecuador (BAE) Guayas to Malaysia will help strengthen bilateral relations that have existed between both countries for more than 20 years. Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to Malaysia, Lourdes Puma Puma said the ship would strengthen ties between both countries at the governmental level as well as between the naval forces of both countries. "This is the vessel's first time to Southeast Asia and Malaysia’s Port Klang is the first stop," she said in her speech at a dinner reception hosted for Malaysian naval officers, foreign dignitaries and media on board the ship at the Boustead Cruise Centre terminal here Monday night. Also present at the reception was Malaysian Navy deputy chief, Vice Admiral Anuwi Hassan. BAE Guayas, built in Spain in 1976, is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary with the culmination of its round-the-world voyage next year. The sail training ship is on a 10-month cruise around the world, having visited 17 ports so far with Malaysia’s Port Klang being its latest pit stop. Commanded by Captain Carlos Zumarraga, BAE Guayas has been sailing for more than 17,000 nautical miles on a goodwill voyage promoting Ecuador’s message of peace and friendship around the world. She has visited 15 countries across four oceans and four continents after departing from its home base of Guayaquil in Ecuador on May 12. The world tour will conclude in March next year after 35,000 nautical miles. BAE Guayas, carrying a crew of 152 people including sailors and musicians, arrived at Port Klang on Saturday for a four-day goodwill visit. -- BERNAMA

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