SEDM Process

The end of the Cold War and the strategic orientation of the countries from the former Eastern Block towards NATO and EU led to a considerable geopolitical restructuring of the European political space. The instability and tensions in early 90s confirmed the principle of security as main priority for the stability in the region of SEE. Hence came forward the South-East Europe Defense Ministerial (SEDM) Process, which began with a meeting of Ministers of Defense on 1996.

The activities undertaken within SEDM are developed with the idea to strengthen the politico-military cooperation and to enhance the stability and security in SEE by: promoting regional cooperation and good neighborly relations, strengthening regional defense capabilities as well as cooperation through collective efforts and last but not least, establishing links facilitating integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions/organizations.

Among the SEDM initiatives, one that carries the most significant prominence is the Multinational Peace Force South-Eastern Europe (MPFSEE), established with the MPFSEE Agreement and also known as South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG). The initiative involves a Brigade which consists of a land force that will act in an on-call basis and has its operational Nucleus Staff.

SEDM objectives:

• Promotion of mutual understanding, confidence and security building measures;
• Contribution of SEDM and MPFSEE/SEEBRIG to security and stability;
• Improvement of the member states’ interoperability;
• Euro - Atlantic integration of SEDM member states;
• Implementation and development of the SEDM projects;
• Facilitation of SEEBRIG employment in peace support operations;
• Enlargement of SEDM process;
• Cooperation with international organizations (UN, EU, NATO and OSCE).

Currently running projects:

• Military Support to WMD Counter-Proliferation, Border Security and Counter Terrorism (CBSC)
• South Eastern Europe Simulation Network (SEESIM)
• Interconnection of Military Hospitals (IMIHO)
• Cooperation on Defense Industries, Research and Technology (SEEDIRET)
• South Eastern Europe Military Education Cooperation (SEMEC)