Ukrainian Defense Ministry: Sea Breeze 2012 Exercise Postponed To July

02.11.2011 Planning conference of the Sea Breeze 2012 American-Ukrainian exercise was opened in Odessa, Ukraine on Nov 1.

During the conference which is going to finish on Nov 4, the parties will specify exercise sites and determine participating countries and force strength.

In this year, the Sea Breeze exercise was held in Odessa region in June. Participants practiced joint anti-piracy activities.

"In contrast to Sea Breeze 2011, in 2012 the parties will focus on planning of maritime security operations, all basic actions will be performed by joint naval forces on the basis of present-day armed conflicts", says the defense ministry's release.

According to Ukrainian defense ministry, beginning of the naval maneuvers in the Black Sea will be postponed to July due to UEFA Euro 2012 championship to be held in Ukraine and Poland.

As of today, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Canada, Macedonia, Moldavia, Germany, Norway, Turkey, and Sweden consented to take part in the Sea Breeze 2012 except Ukraine and the US.

Sea Breeze exercise is held in Ukraine with participation of NATO countries on the annual basis since 1997. It traditionally arouses protest of some political forces in Ukraine and ordinary people opposing rapprochement between Ukraine and the Alliance. Russia regularly expresses concern over the Sea Breeze exercise.