Commander Jerry Woods was received for talks by Split Mayor Zvonimir Puljic and Split-Dalmatia County Prefect Ante Sanader.
The 148-metre-long and 15-metre-wide ship, the sixth named Cornwall, was christened in 1985 by Diana Princess of Wales. It has a 270 crew.
A news conference on the purpose of the four-day visit was held on the ship this afternoon. The press was addressed by Croatian Navy Commander Zdravko Kardum and British Ambassador to Croatia John Ramsden.
At the news conference, the voluntary fire brigade from Supetar on the island of Brac was presented with equipment worth 180,000 kuna. The donation, initiated by the London Fire Brigade, was given by the Dutch company Holmarto.
The press was interested if it was usual for British war ships to sail into friendly ports with open weapons facing the port, which they said might be interpreted as disrespectful to the country they had arrived at. They also noted that the weapons were removed only after a warning from Croatian officers.
Commander Woods said this was how all British war ships sailed into every port in the world, including in NATO countries and Great Britain.
This is standard security procedure, he said, adding that the weapons were removed after the Croatian Navy took over security and not because this had been pointed out.
Ambassador Ramsden said Great Britain strongly pushed for Croatia's NATO membership and that cooperation between the two Navies was very important.
This visit will deepen this cooperation, he said, thanking Kardum and local leaders for the warm welcome.
During the visit, the ship's crew will take part in friendly matches
with local rugby and soccer teams and in a rowing race.
The HMS
Cornwall will leave Split on February 10.