BRUSSELS - NATO naval forces have arrived in the Black Sea to train and operate with ships from Bulgaria, Romania, and the United States in Exercise BREEZE, NATO announced in a press release Tuesday.

NATO ships assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1)  and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group Two (SNMCMG2) joined the operation, which are two of NATO's four Standing Naval Maritime Groups.

"This is a great opportunity to work with our Black Sea Allies and to operate in conjunction with SNMCMG2," said Rear Admiral Alberto Correia, Commander of SNMG1.

"The Black Sea is a key strategic area for the Alliance and NATO deeply values its partnerships with the nations in the region, " he said.(Xinhua)