The 44th SEDM-CC and 45th PMSC Meetings of the SEDM Initiative were held under the Albanian Chairmanship, via Videoconference,on 17th March 2021, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Representatives from 14 SEDM Member Nations, SEEBRIG’s Commander and representatives from international and regional organizations such as UNDP SEESAC and RACVIAC participated in the meetings, chaired by the Director of the SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat, Mr. Gjergji METHOXHA.
The Director of the SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat underlined in his speech that SEDM processis a successful story and continues to be a real proof of consolidated bridges of friendship and cooperation between our nations.Through the SEDM Process, we have achieved a lot during all these years by working together, honoring our commitments and further strengthening the political-military cooperation in our region. He outlined important matters finalized during the SEDM Albanian Chairmanship.
The 44th SEDM-CC Meeting was focused on the developments of the SEDM projects as well on the achievements obtained within the SEDM process. The SEDM-CC participants has been informed by Athens representative about the “Interconnection of Military Hospital (IMIHO)” Project, which has further enhanced the cooperation between military hospitals among health care personnel on areas of common interest and benefits, with special focus on COVID-19 pandemic; about the developments of Female Leaders in Security and Defence Project (FLSD) by Rome representative, as well as regarding the further development of the SEDM Permanent Portal (SEDM Portal project)by Bucharest and Athens representatives.
The Director of SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat of the SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat updated the participants regarding the future Hand-Over Take-Over of the SEDM Secretariat from Tirana to Sofia. He outlined that in the beginning of this year it has started an exchange of information from the SEDM Secretariat to the next Secretariat. The SEDM Secretariat has delivered to Sofia an executive report of all our experience in chairing the SEDM Secretariat. Moreover, a meeting between the SEDM Secretariat and Sofia has been performed virtually on 12 February 2021. In June 2021, another Coordination Meeting between two Secretariats is planned to be performed.
During the 45th PMSC Meeting, SEEBRIG’s Commander Brigadier Aristeidis ILIOPOULOS presented a detailed update about SEEBRIG’s main activities since the last PMSC meeting. He highlighted the Annual Report 2020 activities, the implications of COVID-19 pandemic on SEEBRIG activities, the future activities, as well as the financial and personnel issues and about SEEBRIG’s future perspectives. He outlined SEEBRIG’srequest for the cancellation of the Exercise “Seven Stars 2021”.
Based on the feedback of the member Nations, the PMSC endorsedthe cancellation of SEEBRIG’s Exercise “Seven Stars 2021”.
Concerning the Hand Over-Take Over of SEDM-CC/PMSC Chairmanship and the Celebration of 22th SEEBRIG’s Anniversary, SEEBRIG’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Zlatko GJORGJIOVSKI briefed the PMSC about these two important events, which will take place at Camp “BoroMenkov”, on 26 August 2021, in Kumanovo, North Macedonia.
At the end, the Director emphasized the fact that the experience gained so far is significant in order to maintain the efficiency of the regional cooperation while increasing SEEBRIG’s potentials and extended his full cooperation to the incoming SEDM Bulgarian Chairmanship
The participants expressed their appreciation to SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat and to SEDM Portal Technical Working Group for their efforts in successfully preparing and conducting via VTC the SEDM-CC/PMSC Meetings.