Meeting of Defense Ministers from Southeastern Europe
The 2023 Southern European Defense Ministers Meeting (SEDM) took place in Ankara at the Central Army House. The meeting was attended by defense ministers from Georgia, Montenegro, Romania, and Moldova, as well as deputy defense ministers from Bulgaria, Italy, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, the United States, and Ukraine were also present.
During the meeting, the future of the SEDM process and regional security developments were discussed, with a focus on promoting stability, cooperation, and good neighborly relations in Southeastern Europe and beyond. Moldova’s full membership in the SEDM process was also confirmed. The Southeastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG), created by SEDM member countries, was another topic of consultation, aiming to strengthen and increase its effectiveness as a confidence-building mechanism in the region.
Furthermore, strong support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders was emphasized by the SEDM members. Efforts to strengthen the regional role and effectiveness of the process were also agreed upon, as well as increasing its visibility as a political, military, and regional initiative beyond Southeastern Europe.
In summary, the 28th Southeastern European Defense Ministers Meeting was described as efficient and successful. The meeting highlighted the significant contributions of the SEDM process to the region and beyond, and emphasized the commitment of its members to reaching its full potential.
