During the 1st and 2nd of November, 2023, the new COMSEEBRIG, Brigadier-General Bilbil Bitri, carried out a working visit to the new Chair Nation.

The SEEBRIG Commander engaged in office calls with the leadership of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, visited structures of the Romanian Naval Forces and also took part in the celebration ceremony regarding 145 years of existence of the 9th Mechanized "Mărăşeşti" Brigade.

The visit was a wonderful opportunity to ensure pragmatism and coherence between Bucharest's Chairmanship objectives and COMSEEBRIG's vision for the Brigade.

Between September 13-14, 2023, in the beautiful city of Timişoara, took place the 49th SEDM-CC and 50th SEDM-PMSC meetings.

The first SEDM-CC/PMSC reunions held under the new Chairmanship of Bucharest were a productive and successful event, with many projects and efforts undertaken to bolster security in South-Eastern Europe.

All SEDM nations were represented at the meetings, and also the Commander of SEEBRIG. Delegates from international organizations, such as RACVIAC and UNDP/SEESAC, were also present.

In the opening speech, Bucharest's acting Chairperson outlined the priorities of the Romanian SEDM-CC/PMSC Chairmanship and expressed Bucharest's commitment to reinvigorate and consolidate the partnership between the SEDM nations and the potential of SEEBRIG.

Great to see everyone actively participating in discussions that will further our common security goals!

The rotational chairmanship of the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial Process (SEDM) was officially handed over from Sofia to Bucharest at a meeting held at the Romanian Ministry of Defence on 28 June 2023. For two years, from 1 July 2021 to 1 July 2023, Sofia was chairing the Process. During this period Sofia SEDM Secretariat, organized two meetings of the SEDM Ministers of Defence (in Skopje in 2021 and in Sofia in 2022), two meetings of the Deputy Chiefs of Defence (In Ljubljana, 2022 and in Rome, 2023), eight expert meetings of the SEDM Coordination Council (SEDM-CC) and of the Political Military Steering Committee (PMSC), which were held in Sofia, as well as a number of meetings, working groups and other Process related events.

Sofia Secretariat handed over to Bucharest Secretariat the electronic and printed archive of the Process and the official seals of the SEDM-CC and PMSC. Moreover, comprehensive presentations were made on the overall organization of the work, the current status of the Process and related projects, as well as on the results achieved during the two-year period of Sofia Chairmanship. The experts from both sides discussed a number of practical aspects related to the specifics and organization of the Secretariat's work and the state of the Process as a whole.

At the end of the meeting, an official protocol was signed between the two sides on the handing over and taking over of the SEDM archive.

The annual meeting of the Deputy Chiefs of Defence of SEDM was held on June 21st, in Rome, Italy. The event was hosted by the Deputy Chief of Defence of Italy, Lieutenant General Carmine MASIELLO.

The meeting was opened with a statement of the Italian Undersecretary of State for Defence Mr. Matteo PEREGO di CREMNAGO, followed by a video address by the Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria and Chairperson of the SEDM Process Atanas ZAPRYANOV.

The forum was attended by Deputy Chiefs of Defence and their representatives from SEDM member states, the Commander of South East Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG), representatives of the Centre for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP/SEESAC).

The participants in the meeting, chaired by the Director of the SEDM Secretariat, Daniela GRIGOROVA, discussed the progress made and opportunities for further development of the SEDM process, as well as other topical issues for regional security and defence cooperation. The Director of the Secretariat and SEEBRIG Commander Brigadier General MITROUTSIKOS provided information on the activities that have occurred since the last Deputy Chiefs of Defence Meeting held in June 2022.

At the end of the meeting, a Joint statement of the Deputy Chiefs of Defence was adopted. It was agreed to hold the next meeting in this format in mid-2024, hosted by Ankara.

The meetings of the Deputy Chiefs of Defence of the Southeast European countries are an important part of the SEDM process and are held annually in one of the member states on a rotational basis. They are an effective mechanism for enhancing regional security and are one of the most important forums for regional security and defence cooperation. This is the last event organized under Sofia’s rotational chairmanship of the SEDM process, which ends on 1 July this year.

The Joint statement is available by clicking here.

On March 29th, the 48th SEDM Coordination Committee (CC) and the 49th Political-Military Steering Committee (PMSC) meetings took place in Sofia, Bulgaria. This marked the fourth and final time Sofia hosted the meetings under Sofia SEDM Chairmanship 2021-2023, led by the Chairperson and Deputy Minister of Defence, Teodora Genchovska.

Fourteen SEDM member states were represented at the meetings, including the Commander of SEEBRIG. Delegates from international organizations, such as RACVIAC and UNDP/SEESAC, were also present. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence participated in the meetings through virtual means.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Genchovska emphasized the significance of vigilance against destabilizing factors and the necessity for ongoing cooperation to maintain regional stability and prosperity. The discussions addressed the activities carried out since the previous expert meetings in September 2022, as presented by the SEDM Secretariat and the Commander of the SEEBRIG Multinational Brigade. Additionally, participants discussed the program and agenda for the forthcoming meeting of the Deputy Chiefs of Defence of South East Europe in June, the transfer of SEEBRIG command from Greece to Albania, and the handover of SEDM Chairmanship from Sofia to Bucharest.

The annual South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting was held on the 17th of November in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ministers STOYANOV (Bulgaria), BURCHULADZE (Georgia), TÎLVĂR (Romania), NOSATÎI (Moldova), representatives from SEDM Nations, SEEBRIG HQ, UNDP/SEESAC, and RACVIAC participated. The meeting was presided by the SEDM Chairperson Ms. Teodora Genchovska, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria.

In her opening remarks, the Chairperson stressed the security challenges and emerging threats that the modern world is facing and that the SEDM initiative will continue strengthening the cooperation in the upcoming years. Moreover, the Chairperson condemned the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine and saluted the courage of the Ukrainian people in overcoming the tremendous difficulties they are currently facing.

H.E Dimitar Stoyanov, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, reaffirmed the regional cooperation as of one of the key priorities for Bulgaria, as a way to enhance the security and stability in the region. The Minister condemned the Russian aggression and stated that the SEDM countries follow the current developments in and around Ukraine with great concern.

Following the update on the latest developments on SEDM-CC projects and PMSC activities, given by Ms. Teodora Genchovska, the Commander of the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) Brigadier General Mitroutsikos reviewed the Brigade’s activities since the last SEDM Ministerial meeting in 2021 and presented the documents to be approved by the MPFSEE Nations.

During the meeting, the SEDM nations’ Ministers and their representatives expressed their national views and commitment to the SEDM Process, thus contributing to the importance of the Initiative as a crucial format for regional cooperation.

The full joint statement is available here.

On Thursday 6th of October 2022,the Distinguished Visitors Day (DV-DAY) of exercise “SEVEN STARS 22” was held in Veles (Na-5).

The DV-Day was attended by the SEDM Chairperson Ms. Teodora Genchovska, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Slavjanka Petrovska Minister of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia and high-ranking officers from the participating nations.

The biannual exercise “SEVEN STARS“is the main training activity of SEEBRIG for 2022, focusing on tactical level processes, procedures and capabilities. It is the right platform to reaffirm the Brigade’s capability to operate as a multinational force in a Peace Support Operation.

SEEBRIG and member nations personnel , observers from NATO entities and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as the Lithuanian Polish Ukrainian Brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG) took part in the exercise.

On the 20th of September 2022, the  47^th SEDM Coordination Committee (CC) and the 48^th Political-Military Steering Committee (PMSC) meetings took place in Sofia, Bulgaria. The events were hosted by Sofia for the third time within the framework of the Sofia SEDM Chairmanship for the period 2021-2023.

Representatives of 13 of the SEDM member-states, the Commander of SEEBRIG and other officers from SEEBRIG HQ, and delegates from international organizations, such as RACVIAC and UNDP/ SEESAC participated in the events. The representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and NATO Building integrity participated in the meetings virtually.

Within the framework of the working sessions the attendees discussed the progress achieved so far and the way ahead. The SEDM Secretariat and COMSEEBRIG presented an update of the activities and results achieved since the last CC/PMSC meeting in March 2022. Advance information on the upcoming Ministerial meeting in Sofia was also provided.

The SEDM Deputy Chiefs of Defence Annual Meeting was held on 14th of June 2022, at Brdo Gongress Centre near Kran, Slovenia. The organization and hosting activities were carried out by the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces in close cooperation with Sofia SEDM Secretariat.

Deputy Chiefs of Defence and their representatives from the SEDM Process, the South East Europe Multinational Brigade Headquarters (SEEBRIG), the Centre for Security Cooperation (RACVIAC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/SEESAC) participated.

The Meeting was opened with a video-address by the Deputy Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Chair of PMSC/SEDM-CC Mr Yordan BOZHILOV, after which the meeting was chaired by the Director of the SEDM Secretariat Ms Daniela Grigorova.

The participants discussed the progress achieved and the possibilities for further development of the SEDM, as well as other issues of regional cooperation in the field of security and defence. The SEDM Secretariat and the South East Europe Multinational Brigade (SEEBRIG) made presentations on the activities implemented since the previous meeting of the Deputy Chiefs of Defence of the SEDM Process.

At the end of the meeting, the participants adopted a Joint statement. It was agreed that the next meeting in this format, will take place in mid-2023 in Rome, Italy.

The Joint statement is available by clicking here.

The 16th Interconnection of Military Hospitals (IMIHO) Users’ Meeting took place virtually on 18th May 2022, organized by Athens and executed via VTC, chaired by IMIHO Chairman, LtCol Theodoros Valsamidis.

Mrs Daniela GRIGOROVA, SEDM Director opened the Meeting by emphasizing the importance of the Project and expressed his appreciation for tangible results and outputs, achieved so far, at no cost to nations.
An IMIHO Awards Ceremony took place to honor individuals who distinguished themselves by providing valuable support and assistance to the activities of the Project.

A Webinar on “IMIHO as a Platform for Military Humanitarian Medical Applications”, featuring an extensive program, composed of diverse and informational presentations on topics of common interest, moderated by the IMIHO Chairman. During the session, Nations presented information pertaining to the contribution and outcomes of Military Health Care Personnel during peace-keeping and humanitarian missions. Information will be included in the Military Medical Archive. Presentation recordings and slides will be published to the IMIHO Portal.

The 34th IMIHO Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting took place virtually on 17 May 202. During the event, the IMIHO Chairman elaborated on the significant progress and tangible outcomes achieved, 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 and services offered at no cost to users, including subprojects, webinars and online medical training, both theoretical and practical. Furthermore, a first version "Online Medical Services" portal was presented, based on the proposal authorized by the SEDM Ministers. A proof of concept implementation focuses on psychological support of active and retired personnel, as well as their families, by utilizing open source software and video-teleconferece technologies. The services will be developed and provided at no cost to nations and eligible personnel. 

We hope that these multinational activities will bring the national health care communities closer, provide an online medium for information and expertise exchange, while conducting training, fostering scientific and academic collaboration among professionals of the Health Care Institutions, serving Military personnel. Finally, it is our hope that the Webinar and future activities will help towards bringing soon an end to the ongoing pandemic situation.

The Chairman expressed his appreciation for the invaluable support of SEDM-CC/PMSC Director and Secretariat, as well as all Presenters and Participants for their attendance. 

More information and recorded material will be available at the IMIHO Portal soon.