SEDM Process

The SEEBRIG Farewell Ceremony was held in Kumanovo, Republic of North Macedonia, on 15th of July 2026, marking the completion of the Brigade Headquarters’ six-year presence there and the beginning of its relocation to Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye.
The Chairman of SEDM Process, Ambassador a.h. Eleftherios Anghelopoulos expressed his appreciation to the Host Nation for its continued support to SEEBRIG for the last six years. and to COMSEEBRIG Brigadier General Bilbil BITRI for his efforts, within the framework of the MPFSEE Agreement, to strengthen the capabilities of SEEBRIG, maintain its readiness, and enhance its visibility.
The ceremony highlighted SEEBRIG’s enduring role as one of the most tangible achievements of the SEDM Process and reaffirmed the commitment of the participating Nations to regional stability, security and cooperation in South-Eastern Europe.

The annual SEDM Deputy Chiefs of Defence (DCHODs) Meeting was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, under the Chairmanship of the Hellenic Republic.

Deputy Chiefs of Defence and senior military representatives from the participating Nations exchanged views on regional security developments and reviewed the progress of ongoing SEDM activities and projects. Particular attention was given to the activities of SEEBRIG, the progress of the SEESIM exercise cyclem and the implementation of key SEDM projects, including Female Leaders in Security and Defence (FLSD), interconnection of Military Hospitals (IMIHO) and the SEDM Platform for Enhancing Resilience.

The participating Nations welcomed the presentation of the proposed new SEDM project, " The Dual Role of Armed Forces in Addressing Climate Change Challenges (AF3C)", which aims to enhance cooperation, interoperability and the exchange of lessons learned and the best practices among SEDM Nations in responding to the growing challenges posed by climate change and climate-induced natural disasters.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to the objectives of the SEDM Process and to the further strengthening regional cooperation, stability and security in South -Eastern Europe.

The SEDM Coordinating Committee (SEDM-CC) and Politico Military Steering Committee (PMSC) Meetings were held in Chania, on 18–19 March 2026, under the Chairmanship of the Hellenic Republic.
The Commander of SEEBRIG gave an update on HQ SEEBRIG activities since the last PMSC through a detailed briefing, including the upcoming SEEBRIG relocation.
Representatives of the participating Nations reviewed ongoing activities and discussed the future development of the Initiative. Particular attention was given to the progress of key SEDM projects, (Female Leaders in Security and Defence/FLSD, Interconnection of Military Hospitals/IMIHO, SEDM Platform for Enhancing Resilience) and SEESIM exercise.
The Hellenic Republic presented a new project proposal developed by the Construction and Natural Disaster Response Command of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff. This new project focuses on the dual role of Armed Forces in addressing climate change challenges (AF3C), in light of increasing frequency and severity of climate change – induced natural disasters, aiming to enhance cooperation, interoperability and exchange of lessons learned and best practices among SEDM Member States.

The annual South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 27 November 2025, chaired by SEDM Chairman, Ambassador a.h. Eleftherios Anghelopoulos.

This year's Ministerial, under the Chairmanship of the Hellenic Republic, placed particular emphasis on the progress of the SEDM projects. Nations welcomed the activities of the new Resilience project, designed to strengthen the ability of SEDM countries to withstand emerging challenges.

Participants also highlighted the ongoing work of IMIHO (Interconnection of Military Hospitals), a long-standing project that facilitates military-medical cooperation and the exchange of expertise among participating nations. The Ministers further acknowledged the relevance of the FLSD (Female Leaders in Security and Defence) project, which promotes the development, empowerment and networking of female leaders in the field of security and defence.

The Ministers were also briefed on the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG).

During the meeting the Ministers presented national views on the evolving security environment and reiterated that the SEDM Process continues to serve as a platform for dialogue, confidence-building, and practical defence cooperation, enabling the nations of South-Eastern Europe to work together for the security and stability of the region.

From 23 to 25 September 2025, the 54th PMSC Meeting and the 53rd SEDM-CC Meeting were held in Athens, under the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) Chairmanship of the Hellenic Republic.

During the meetings, issues related to the strengthening of regional cooperation were discussed, in line with the principles and objectives of the SEDM Process,

with particular emphasis on the implementation of cooperation Projects and on enhancing the effectiveness of SEEBRIG.

The Ceremony of Handover-Takeover (HO-TO) of the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial Coordination Committee (SEDM-CC) and the Politico-Military Steering Committee (PMSC) Chairmanship and SEEBRIG 26th Anniversary took place in Kumanovo, Republic of North Macedonia, on the 3rd of September 2025.

Romania handed over the rotating SEDM Chairmanship to the Hellenic Republic.

The event was held in the presence of distinguished representatives from the SEDM member nations, international organizations and local authorities .

As of 1 July 2025, the Hellenic Republic has assumed the Chairmaship and the Secretariat of the SEDM from Romania for the forthcoming two-year period (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2027). The official handover took place on 3 July 2025 at a meeting held at the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers Club in Athens.

The delegation of Romania was headed by the outgoing Chairperson of SEDM Chairmanship Simona COJOCARU and the delegation of Hellenic Republic by the Chairman of the incoming Chairmanship Ambassador a.h. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.

The Secretariat of Romania handed over to the Secretariat of Hellenic Republic the electronic and printed archives of the Process, as well as the official seals of the SEDM-CC and PMSC. Furthermore, presentations were delivered on the overall organization of the work, the current status of the Process and related projects, and the results achieved during the Romanian Chairmanship. Experts from both sides engaged in detailed discussions on practical aspects concerning the specifics and organization of the Secretariat’s work.

At the conclusion of the meeting, an official protocol was signed by both parties formalizing the handing over and taking over of the SEDM archive.

Between March 25-26th, 2025, took place the 53rd PMSC and 52nd SEDM-CC Meetings, in Bucharest, Romania.

This last round of meetings conducted under the Chairmanship of Romania brought fruitful discussions, particularly those focused on strengthening the relevance of SEEBRIG, but also those for the implementing the new SEDM project in the resilience field.

In this regard, the first Roundtable event took place – “The resilience of SEDM states to developments that undermine democratic processes, and to the rising trends of populism”, organized by the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Center.

The Romanian Chairmanship wants to thank everyone for their contribution and dedication during this two-year mandate

The annual South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting was held on the 6th of November in Tirana, the Republic of Albania. Ministers of Defence and highly-ranked representatives from all SEDM nations participated in the workings. The meeting was presided by the SEDM Chairperson, Ms. Simona Cojocaru, State Secretary and Chief of the Department for defence policy, planning and international relations.

The most important points of the ministerial meeting were the approval of a new SEDM project for enhancing the resilience of its member states, as well as the ministers taking note of PMSC endorsing the Concept Paper for strengthening the relevance of SEEBRIG.

Following the update on the latest developments on SEDM-CC projects and PMSC activities, the Commander of the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) Brigadier General Bilbil Bitri, reviewed the Brigade’s activities since the last SEDM Ministerial meeting in 2023.

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

Between 25-26th of September, 2024, the 51st SEDM-CC and 52nd SEDM-PMSC meetings took place,
hosted in the wonderful city of Constanța, under Romania's SEDM Chairmanship.
The two days brought a number of interesting discussions and decisions
that will be submitted for the approval of the SEDM defence ministers during the November 2024 ministerial in Tirana.
The Bucharest Chairmanship extended its thanks to all the participants for their continuous dedication
and constant support.