News

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 47th meeting of the Political-Military Steering Committee (PMSC) of the Multinational Peace Force South-Eastern Europe (MPFSEE) and the 46th meeting of the Coordination Committee of SEDM (SEDM-CC) were held on the 16th of March 2022 in the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria. Due to the current pandemic and the imposed restrictions the sessions were conducted via Video-teleconference.

The conference was presided by the SEDM-CC/ PMSC Chairman and Deputy Minister of Defence Mr. Yordan Bozhilov. The Bulgarian delegation included Ms. Daniela Grigorova – Director of SEDM-CC/ PMSC Secretariat and experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Defence Policy and Planning” Directorate of Ministry of Defence and the members of the SEDM Secretariat.

During the sessions the discussions were focused on the progress made and the possibilities for further development of SEDM, as well as current issues concerning the regional cooperation in the field of security and defence. The participants were briefed on the activities of the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) by the Commander of the Brigade and updated on the latest developments of SEDM related projects such as “Female Leaders in Security and Defence” (FLSD) and “Interconnection of Military Hospitals” (IMIHO). Additionally, the details for the DCHOD meeting in Ljubljana, SEESIM22 and the SEDM Ministerial in Sofia were presented by the Host nations.

Sofia proposed a text for a joint statement of the SEDM Ministers of Defence concerning the current situation in Ukraine. The statement is to be approved after each SEDM member state reviews it. In the course of the debate on the issues the participants expressed their principal approval and condemned the Russian aggression.

Sofia has taken the rotational SEDM chairmanship for a period of two years (2021-2023). The SEDM Process was initiated in 1996 as a mechanism for improving the regional security and is one of the most important forums in the field of regional security and cooperation. Sofia has always been an active participant in SEDM Initiative as this is its second term as chairing state, the first term was accomplished in the period 2009-2011 and the nation was the first host of SEEBRIG, for the period 1999-2003.

On the 15th and the 16th of September 2021, were held respectively the 46th PMSC and the 45th SEDM-CC Meetings in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The recent developments and the way ahead for SEEBRIG and the SEDM Process were discussed within the margins of the meetings. The leading nations provided updates on the various SEDM projects. The participating international organizations expressed their content and willingness for further collaboration with the Initiative.  Topical security and defense issues at a regional scale as well the perspectives for enhancing the regional cooperation were also discussed in details.

The meetings were headed by the chairman of the SEDM Process, Deputy Minister of Defence Mr. Plamen Yordanov.

Due to the COVID restrictions the meetings were held in a hybrid mode, in which attendants participated both physically and virtually.

The 43rd SEDM-CC and 44th PMSC Meetings of the SEDM Initiative were held under the Albanian Chairmanship via videoconference on 23 and 24 September 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Representatives from 13 SEDM member nations, SEEBRIG’s Commander and representatives from international and regional organizations such as NATO, UNDP SEESAC, RCC and RACVIAC participated in the meetings, chaired by H.E. Mr. Petro KOÇI, the Chairman of the SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat/ Deputy Minister of Defense.

The Chairman highlighted in his speech that during all these years, our cooperation has strengthened the relations among our nations and has contributed to the efforts towards a common Euro-Atlantic future. He underlined that the experience we gained so far it is significant in order to maintain the efficiency of the regional cooperation and increasing SEEBRIG’s potentials.

The 43rd SEDM-CC Meeting was focused on the developments of the projects as well on the achievements obtained within the SEDM process. Respectively the “Interconnection of Military Hospital (IMIHO)” project will further enhance the cooperation between military hospitals by enhancing the cooperation on topics of mutual interest and benefits; the promotion of Female Leaders in Security and Defence Project (FLSD), by supporting the implementation of UNSCR Resolution 1325; the promotion of transparent institutions by the implementation of the principles of transparency and integrity (Building Integrity in Defence project); as well as by the further development of the SEDM Portal (SEDM Portal project).

During the 44th PMSC meeting, SEEBRIG’s Commander Brigadier Aristeidis ILIOPOULOS presented an update on SEEBRIG activities and future activities, highlighted the main elements of SEEBRIG’S Annual Plan 2021, new timeline of the Exercise “Seven Stars-21”, went through the major points of the Budget Plan for the Fiscal Year 2021 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2021-2023. COMSEEBRIG shared with PMSC his vision for the next 3-years and addressed some manning issues. PMSC endorsed SEEBRIG’s Annual Plan and Budget Plan 2021, which will be submitted to upcoming Defense Ministerial for its approval.

At the end, the participants expressed their appreciation to SEDM Secretariat and SEDM Portal Technical Working Group for their efforts in successfully preparing and conducting via VTC the SEDM-CC/PMSC Meetings.

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.

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.