Dear Colleagues,

As we complete today our two years term of the SEDM Athens Chairmanship, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your enthusiastic cooperation, support and contribution to the fulfillment of the goals of our Ιnitiative.

With our work we have managed to accomplish our mission and promote the activities, vision and ideas of the Process, and have implemented the priorities of our program. Our common efforts were based on our fundamental principles, in full respect of International Law and with a view to strengthening stability and security in the region of Southeastern Europe and promote good neighborly relations.

I would also like to highlight the importance of the friendship bond that we have built together, confirming the words of Aristotle “friendship is essentially a partnership’’, the motto of the Athens Chairmanship.

Athens Chairmanship would also like to thank HQ SEEBRIG and COMSEEBRIG Brig.Gen. Tudorica PETRACHE, as well as the regional and international organizations engaged with the SEDM Process for their valuable input, continued support and active collaboration.

We present our best wishes to the incoming Tirana Chairmanship, for success in all their endeavors to the benefit of the member states of SEDM and our region.

 

The 41st PMSC, 40th SEDM-CC and 1st SEEDRO Meetings of the South East Europe Defence Ministerial Process, chaired by Athens, took place from 18 to 21 March 2019 in Chania, Crete.

Representatives from 12 SEDM Nations, the SEEBRIG Commander and an observer from RACVIAC participated in the Meetings, chaired by H.E. Amb. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.

The Meetings were conducted in friendly spirit and mutual understanding. Various programs and initiatives were discussed, aiming at fostering international collaboration and promoting enduring-peace, stability and security in the region.

 

From 5 to 6 December 2018, the UN Women, Tbisili Ministry of Defence - the lead nation of the project female Leaders in Security and Defence (FLSD) within the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) initiative held the workshop “Female Leaders in Security and Defence-National Implementation of UN Resolution 1325”. The workshop was held at the Defence Institutional Building School in Tbilisi. The event was the part of the 16-days international campaign against gender-based violence running every year from November 25 the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls to December 10th on the day of International Human Rights. 

The first Deputy Minister of Defence Ms. Lela Chikovani addressed the participants and spoke about the implementation of UN Security Council 1325 and the following Resolutions by the MOD Georgia.  In the welcome address the Head of the UN Women Representative Ms. Erika Kvapilova and the Chair of the Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia Ms. Sopio Kiladze highlighted the importance of implementing international gender equality standards and mainstreaming for the better delivering on Women Peace and Security agenda.

During the first day of the workshop the participants discussed the topics regarding the Human Resources Policy, Capacity Development on gender mainstreaming and Gender Discrimination at workplace. On the second day the experts from the Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations gave a presentation on Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

More information is available here.

It is our duty to inform you that the former SEDM-CC/PMSC Chairman of Romanian presidency, Mr. Valeriu Nicuț, passed away. 
General (ret) Nicuț assumed the chairmanship of SEDM-CC/PMSC in March 2014, when he was appointed State secretary for defence policy within the ROU Ministry of National Defence.
The SEDM Chairmanship, as well as all members of our community who had the honor to work and collaborate with Mr. Nicuț, would like to offer condolences to his family.
He is fondly remembered as a man who always offered a word of encouragement word, as well as being prepared with a backup plan.

May Valeriu rest in peace.

A short CV follows:
General (ret) Valeriu Nicuț, who has died aged 63, served with Romanian Ministry of National Defence.
After graduating the Mountain Infantry Officer School in 1977, he was appointed Recconnaissance Platoon Commander and for the next 14 years he accomplished various positions within the 4th Mountain Infantry Bde. In 1992 he graduated the Command and Stsff College, and then he assumed a number of positions within the General Staff of Romanian Army. 

In 1999 he started to share his operational experience as associate professor within National Defence University, reaching the position of Commandant of Regional PfP Training Centre ROU-UK, in Bucharest.  During 2001-2004 he was the head of Partnership branch within the Multinational Cooperation Division in SHAPE, Mons, Belgium, from where he supported the accomplishment of technical criteria for Romania to join the North-Atlantic Alliance. Romania joined NATO, indeed, in 2004, and Valeriu was promoted to Brigadier General, assuming the position of J5 Strategic Planning Directorate head. 

In 2006 he returned to SHAPE as the representative of ROU General Staff, and after a three years tour he assumed various positions in the General Staff culminating with the one of DCHOD, in 2013, when he earned the 4th star and retired from active duty. It was only three months later when he was offered the position of State Secretary for defence policy, also assuming the honor of SEDM-CC/PMSC until the end of ROU mandate (2013-2015). In 2016 he chose to withdraw from the politic life and to dedicate all his time to his wife Ionela and his son, Alexandru. Unfortunatelly, in the summer of 2018 he was diagnosed with cancer and he passed away on December 5th, being burried two days later in the Military Cemetery Ghencea, Bucharest. 

Gen Nicuț was greatly respected and beloved by all who served with him. He had an inherent sense of comradery that allowed his trustees to take initiatives and grant the successes. He greatly supported the younger personnel, strongly believing that confidence is the key to further professional enlightment. He will be never forgotten by his peers and subordinates.

2018. The event, the ninth of a series conducted every two years since 2004, was hosted and chaired by Ankara, as well as co-chaired by Bucharest. Ankara, Athens, Kiev, Skopje, Bucharest with Kishinev participated in the exercise, as well as SEEBRIG and various organizations as observers.

The aim of the exercise was to establish the coordination, interoperability and cooperation between the military/civilian natural disaster/center of emergency units of SEDM member states and to ensure the development of assistance procedures. Also through the effective usage of computer modelling and simulation programs, the states strengthen their joint intervention skills in case of regional natural disasters and crises by working together.

The SEESIM 18 Exercise was executed simultaneously with the Main Exercise Control Center (EXCON) established in Istanbul at Multinational Joint Warfare Centre (MJWC) and the national forward EXCON’s located at Athens, Kiev, Skopje, and Bucharest via use of web based communication systems provided by SEDM and simulation systems provided by the host nation.

All participants agreed that SEESIM 18 provided a very useful environment to test response skills in the areas of humanitarian aid of man-made or natural disasters and cyber attacks, as well as reinforce the interoperability culture among the SEDM member states and SEEBRIG by gaining the experience and lessons learned from the previous exercises.

SEDM Director Major General Achillefs TAOUXIS thanked the Nations and especially MJWC and 3rd Corps personnel for the successful execution of the exercise, as well as the warm hospitality.

Dear all, 

With great sorrow, we must inform you that Brigadier General Dumitru PUFU passed away.

BG PUFU served as primary POC for Bucharest. As Head of delegation to various SEDM-CC and PMSC meetings, he always assisted the proceedings in a highly professional and cordial manner and he is fondly remembered by the SEDM Community.

The SEDM Chairmanship, as well as all members of our community who had the honor to work and collaborate with BG PUFU, would like to offer condolences to his family.

May Dumitru rest in peace.

A short CV follows:

Brigadier General Dumitru PUFU, who has died aged 56, served with Romanian Ministry of National Defence. 

After graduating the Engineering Officer School in 1984, he was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers. 

After commanding Engineer Squadrons at Constanta and Ramnicu Valcea from 1984 to 1991, he joined the Department for Defence Policy, where he was involved in the collective efforts for preparing the Romanian's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. 

In 2000, he earned a Master's Degree in business administration focused on Defence Resource Management at the United States Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California.

Between 2004 - 2008 he served as National Infrastructure Adviser with the Romanian Delegation to NATO.

In September 2012 he was appointed Head of International Defence Cooperation Directorate. From this position he headed the Romanian delegation to SEDM-CC and PMSC meetings.

In March 2016, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and retired from active duty.

Brig Gen PUFU was greatly respected by all who served with him. He readily delegated authority, appearing to allow his subordinates a very light rein, but in reality he would keep a very close eye on their performance.

Dumitru is survived by his wife Mihaela, son Andrei and daughter Delia.

Dear all,

The 10th IMIHO Users' Meeting took place on 13 Nov 18, hosted by the Military Medical Center and Public City Hospital, in Skopje. The Skopje State Secretaty, SEDM Director and representatives from Athens, Belgrade, Bucharest, Rome, Skopje and Sofia, along with a member from SEDM Secretariat participated in the event. The vision, ongoing and upcoming activities, as well as the functionality of the IMIHO portal were presented to the personnel. The IMIHO Chairman and the delegations had the opportunity to engage in conversation and witness the high professional level of the Hospitals' personnel during a tour of the hospital.

The 28th IMIHO Technical Working Group was conducted between 14-15 Nov 18. Prior to the Meeting, the participants visited the Balkan  Medical Force. During the TWG Meeting, the IMIHO Chairman elaborated on the significant progress and tangible outcomes achieved during the last months, as well as the planned way-ahead. A fruitful dialog produced several action items of common interest and benefits. Specific actions were decided, aiming at further enriching the IMIHO Portal, enhancing functions offered at no cost to users, including webinars and online training, documented in the Minutes.

The South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting was held in Belgrade on October 11, 2018.

Ministers and representatives from SEDM Nations, the SEEBRIG Commander and observers from NATO HQ, UN Office in Belgrade, UNDP/SEESAC, RACVIAC and RCC participated in the Meeting, chaired by H.E. Amb. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.

This event marks the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the MPFSEE Agreement and nations reiterated their commitment to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the SEDM Process through increased cooperation.

The meeting focused on promoting enduring-peace, stability and security in the region of Southeastern Europe (SEE), as well the achievements obtained within the SEDM process.

As the last meeting of the Athens SEDM Chairmanship, the nations expressed their appreciation to Athens, the SEDM-CC/ PMSC Chairman and the Secretariat for their efforts to coordinate fruitful meetings and activities, as well as extended their wishes for success to Tirana, being the Chair of SEDM-CC/ PMSC Secretariat during 2019-2021.

Finally, the nations expressed their appreciation to Belgrade for the tireless efforts in successfully preparing and conducting the annual SEDM Ministerial Meeting.

The full joint statement is available here.

 

The 40th PMSC and 39th SEDM-CC Meetings of the South East Europe Defence Ministerial Process, chaired by Athens, took place from 11 to 14 September 2018 in Athens.

Representatives from 16 SEDM Nations, the SEEBRIG Commander and an observer from RACVIAC participated in the Meetings, chaired by H.E. Amb. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.

The Meetings were conducted in friendly spirit and mutual understanding. Various programs and initiatives were discussed, aiming at fostering international collaboration and promoting enduring-peace, stability and security in the region.

The Main Planning Conference for the South Eastern Europe Simulation Exercise (SEESIM) 2018 took place in the Multinational Joint Warfare Centre in Istanbul from 4 to 7 September 2018. Representatives from participating SEDM Nations and SEEBRIG had a fruitful discussion regarding the planning and preparations of SEESIM 18, a multinational exercise that aims to enhance cooperation and ensure rapid response and assistance in case of emergency situation in the region.

A Meeting between the SEDM Chairman, Eleftherios Anghelopoulos, Ambassador a.h. and the Assistant of Minister for Defense Policy of MoD Serbia, Major General Milan Mojsilović took place on 9 July 2018, in SEDM Chairmanship office in Athens.

The participants had a fruitful discussion regarding the enhancement of multinational cooperation and SEDM related activities.  

You can learn more about this event, by clicking here.

The Deputies Chiefs of Defence from SEDM Nations and SEEBRIG convened in Athens, on 13 June 2018 to foster military cooperation in South Eastern Europe (SEE).

The representatives reaffirmed  their dedication to support SEDM activities that aim  to further strengthen stability, security and prosperity in the region.

You can view the Joint statement by clicking here.

The 9th IMIHO Users' Meeting took place on 22 May 18, hosted by the 404 Military Hospital, in Larissa. Representatives from Athens, Belgrade, Bucharest, Skopje and Sofia, along with members from SEDM Secretariat participated in the event. The vision, ongoing and upcoming activities, as well as the functionality of the IMIHO portal were presented to the personnel of the Hospital. The IMIHO Chairman and the delegations had the opportunity to engage in conversation and witness the high professional level of the Hospital's personnel.

The 27th IMIHO Technical Working Group on 23 May 18, was hosted in SEEBRIG HQ in Camp SCHINA, near Tyrnavos. Prior to the Meeting, a detailed briefing regarding SEEBRIG was presented to the delegations. During the Meeting, the IMIHO Chairman elaborated on the significant progress and tangible outcomes achieved during the last months, as well as the planned way-ahead. A fruitful dialog produced several action items of common interest and benefits. Specific actions were decided, aiming at further enriching the IMIHO Portal, enhancing functions offered at no cost to users, including webinars and online training.

On 24 May 18, the delegations had the memorable experience of visiting the majestic Monasteries of Meteora.

You can learn more about this event, by clicking here.

The 6th EWG on the Revision of the MFPSEE Agreement, the 39th PMSC and 38th SEDM-CC Meetings of the South East Europe Defence Ministerial Process, chaired by Athens, took place from 19 to 22 March 2018 in Thessaloniki.

Representatives from 16 SEDM Nations, the SEEBRIG Commander and observers from NATO, RCC and RACVIAC participated in the Meetings, chaired by H.E. Amb. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.

The Meetings were conducted in friendly spirit and mutual understanding. Various programs and initiatives were discussed, aiming at fostering international collaboration. 

You can learn more about this event, by cliking here.

 

The South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting was held in Batumi, Georgia on October 11, 2017. This first meeting of the Athens SEDM Chairmanship focused on promoting enduring-peace, stability and security in the region of Southeastern Europe (SEE), as well the achievements obtained within the SEDM process.

Ministers and representatives from SEDM Nations, the SEEBRIG Commander and observers from UNDP/SEESAC, RACVIAC and RCC participated in the Meeting, chaired by H.E. Amb. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.
 
The joint statement is available here.

The 38th PMSC and 37th SEDM-CC Meetings of the South East Europe Defence Ministerial Process, chaired by Athens, took place from 18 to 22 Sept 2017 in Athens.

Representatives from 16 SEDM Nations, the SEEBRIG Commander and observers from UNDP/SEESAC, NATO, UNDP/SEESAC, RACVIAC participated in the Meetings, chaired by H.E. Amb. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.

The Meetings were conducted in friendly spirit and mutual understanding. Various programs and initiatives were discussed, aiming at fostering international collaboration. 

Click here to learn more about this event.

 

The Handover - Takeover for the SEDM Chairmanship and COMSEEBRIG took place in Tyrnavos, on 23 Aug 2017. Click here to learn more about this event.