From 10th to 12th June in Belgrade, R. Serbia, the JOC Commander Major General Metodija Velichkovski participated in the Deputy Chiefs of Staff conference, which is part of the cooperation between the Ministries of Defence of Southeast Europe (SEDM- South East Defence Ministerial).
During the conference the participants from the member countries and the representatives of the international organizations like NATO and UN had an opportunity to discuss about issues of mutual interest, the military and political cooperation in the region, the future tasks of SEDM, the finished and current activities of the Southeast Brigade (SEEBRIG) and the current stage of the initiated projects.
The participants also expressed their satisfaction regarding the appointing of key personnel’s in SEDM and SEEBRIG, and at the same time they highlighted the importance of designing SEDM Strategic Overview.
The participants also talked about the importance of the efforts made to improve the effectiveness of SEEBRIG and the contribution given by the Brigade for the safety, cooperation and stability in the framework of the initiative.
Addressing the participants, Major General Velichkovski highlighted the importance of SEDM in the process of strengthening and reinforcing the thrust between the countries in the region and wider, as well as the contribution of the Republic of Macedonia in the future development and promotion of this type of cooperation.
The General also said that the decisions reached at the conference will improve the operational readiness of SEEBRIG. At the end, he emphasised the dedication of the Republic of Macedonia to integrate the region into NATO and the European Union, which will undoubtedly strengthen the economy and the security of the region.
SEDM represents a process of political and military cooperation of the Ministries of Defence of its fourteen member countries (Macedonia, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Turkey, Albania, Ukraine, the USA) and two observer countries Georgia and Moldova. The process was initiated in March 1996 with the aim to improve understanding, military-political cooperation and the security in the region.
