The Deputy Chief of General Staff (DCGS) of ARM, Major General Muhamet Racaj has taken part today in the annual meeting of Deputy Chiefs of General Staff within the process of cooperation among the Ministries of Defence of South-East Europe (SEDM), which has been held in Podgorica, Montenegro.
At the working session of the meeting the progress of the SEDM process was greeted, whose essence is strengthening of the understanding and political-military cooperation in the region, in order to improve the stability and the security in South-East Europe. Among other things, there was a discussion on terrorism and the violent extremism as phenomena which are threats to the global peace and security, also the confrontation of many countries with common challenges like illegal migration and humanitarian crises, and the necessity of immediate solutions. The Deputy Chiefs of General Staff thanked for the engagement of the “SEEBRIG” brigade as a tool for active contribution to the peace, security, stability, and cooperation in South-East Europe, as well as in the peace keeping missions where the Republic of Macedonia actively participates with staff officers and declared units.
General Racaj, congratulating Montenegro for joining NATO, mentioned the positive willingness of NATO to accept all countries that share values, responsibilities, and obligations that come with the membership in the Alliance, and the readiness of the Republic of Macedonia for full membership in NATO.
The SEDM process which last year celebrated its 20th anniversary, for the first time was initiated in 1996 in Tirana in order to strengthen the understanding, the political-military cooperation and improvement of the stability and security in the region with complete dedication to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member countries.
In the following period Greece will chair the coordinative bodies of the SEDM initiative, whereas previously the Republic of Macedonia had this role from July 2007 to July 2009.