ODESSA. April 27 (Interfax) - The final planning conference on preparations for the U.S.-Ukrainian Sea Breeze 2012 exercise has closed in Odessa; this year the exercise will begin on July 9, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's media center said.
"During the exercise, forces will practice the conventional naval, aviation, ground and diving components. In particular, Ukrainian and U.S. divers are planning this year to lift to the surface a floating berth, which sank in the waters of the Odessa port and had been used for several years by deep-water divers to practice disaster scene search and inspection and conduct underwater welding and cutting of metal sections," the Defense Ministry said.
It was reported that in 2012 the traditional participants of the Sea Breeze exercise will for the first time be joined by forces from the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Bangladesh and Qatar, all being the countries which face a major problem of fighting sea piracy.
Unlike the Sea Breeze 2011, all main tasks in 2012 will be performed by naval forces. Due to the European football championship hosted by Ukraine the start of the naval maneuvers in the Black Sea was put off by a month, until July 2012.
Ukrainian Navy's frigate Hetman Sahaidachny, large amphibious ship Kostiantyn Olshansky and other ships, marine and coastal guard troops will start practical preparations for the international exercise in the very near future.
The U.S.-Ukrainian Sea Breeze exercise has been held since 1997. The aim is to train and boost the combat readiness of the Ukrainian Navy and Armed Forces on the bilateral basis, but the exercise is open to other countries.