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.

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 SEDM Deputy Chief of Defence/General Staff Meeting (DCHODs) 2021 Meeting has been performed on 10 June 2021, via Video-Teleconference.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff and Representatives from 14 SEDM member nations, SEEBRIG's Commander, the Director of RACVIAC and UNDP SEESAC Policy Expert attended the meeting, chaired by H.E. Mr.
Petro KOÇI, Chairman of the SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat/Deputy Minister of Defense.

The SEDM Chairman and Co-Chair, Deputy Chief of General Staff of Croatia, Lieutenant General Siniša JURKOVIĆ, as the Host Nation, opened the annual SEDM DCHOD's Meeting and delivered their welcoming remarks to the participants.

The purpose of this Meeting is to foster constructive regional political-military cooperation in Southeast Europe (SEE), in order to further strengthen peace, stability, trust, prosperity and security in the region.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/ General Staff stated that the SEDM Initiative has strengthened the relations between our nations and has contributed to their efforts towards a common Euro-Atlantic future. They welcomed the achievements of SEEBRIG Brigade and acknowledged the contribution of the Brigade to the regional peace, security and stability. They reiterated that all achievements and the outstanding results reached in all these years, present an imperative for us to make all necessary efforts, in order to continue on further strengthening our regional defense cooperation through increased cooperation between member nations.

Being the last SEDM Meeting under the Albanian Chairmanship, the SEDM Chairman expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all SEDM member Nations for their contribution to the SEDM Process and took the opportunity to extend best wishes to Sofia for a successful Chairmanship of the SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat in the next mandate.

At the end, the participants expressed their appreciation to Host Nation and SEDM Secretariat for their efforts in successfully preparing and conducting the annual DCHODs Meeting through Video-Teleconference.

The Joint statement is available by clicking here.

The Deputy Chief of Defence Meeting (DCHODs) 2020 meeting has been performed on 3rd June 2020, via video conference.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff and representatives from 14 SEDM member nations, SEEBRIG Commander and the Director of RACVIAC, attended the meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Mr. Petro KOÇI, Chairman of the Albanian SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat.

The SEDM Chairman and the Deputy Chief of General Staff of Romania, Major General Vasile TOADER, as a host nation, kicked-off the DCHOD's meeting and delivered their welcoming opening remarks to the participants.

The purpose of this annual meeting is to foster constructive regional political-military cooperation in Southeast Europe (SEE), in order to further strengthen peace, stability, trust, prosperity and security in the region.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/ General Staff welcomed the achievements of the SEEBRIG Brigade and acknowledged the contribution of this Brigade to regional security and stability, becoming a unique platform for cooperation and mutual training.

The representatives reiterated their commitment to further strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of this initiative through increased co-operation between member nations.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/ General Staff stressed that the SEDM initiative has strengthened relations between the countries and has contributed to their efforts for a common European and Euro-Atlantic future.

Finally, the participants expressed their appreciation to the SEDM Secretariat and Bucharest for their efforts in successfully preparing and conducting the annual DCHODs Meeting and to the SEDM Portal Technical Working for the excellent support given in order to perform the DCHODs Meeting through video-conference.

The Joint statement is available by clicking here.

The Deputies Chiefs of Defence from SEDM Nations and SEEBRIG, as well as representatives from NATO, RACVIAC and UNDP convened in Skopje, on 12 June 2019 to foster military cooperation in South Eastern Europe .

The participants reaffirmed their dedication to support SEDM activities that aim to further strengthen stability, security and prosperity in the region. They also expressed their appreciation to Athens Chairmanship for the efforts to coordinate many fruitful activities and extended their wishes for success to the upcoming Tirana Chairmanship.

During the Meeting, the 6th Additional Protocol of the MPFSEE Agreement was sighed. 

A Joint statement is available by clicking here.