The Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major General Azim Nuredin, participated in the meeting of Deputy Chiefs of Defense and General Staffs of the member countries of the South-Eastern Europe Defense Ministerial Process (SEDM), which was held today in Tbilisi, Georgia. The meeting was attended by senior military representatives from the region, as well as representatives of leading regional and international organizations.
The main objective of this year’s meeting was to enhance military cooperation, address strategic challenges in South-Eastern Europe, and strengthen the stability and security of the entire region through open dialogue and mutual support.
During the conference, the participants expressed their appreciation to the Republic of North Macedonia for its continuous and outstanding contribution over the past six years as the host nation of the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) Headquarters in Kumanovo. Particular emphasis was placed on the successful efforts of our country in organizing key events, including the commemoration of the 26th anniversary of the brigade’s establishment.
One of the most significant SEDM processes in 2026 highlighted during the meeting was the forthcoming relocation of the SEEBRIG Headquarters from Kumanovo to the Republic of Türkiye. The relocation process is being carried out as a coordinated cooperation, and it was officially announced that a closing ceremony will be held in Kumanovo on 15 July 2026, marking the successful completion of SEEBRIG’s six-year mission before its relocation in Istanbul at the end of August.
During the meeting, the delegations also expressed support for a number of ongoing and new regional initiatives, including the Initiative for Interconnection of Military Hospitals (IMIHO), the Female Leaders in Security and Defense initiative (FLSD), related to the advancement of the role of women in defense, and a new project addressing the role of the armed forces in responding to the challenges posed by climate change.
The participants once again reaffirmed their strong commitment to the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, agreeing that the next SEDM Deputy Chiefs of Defense and General Staffs Meeting in 2027 will be hosted by the Republic of Serbia.
On the margins of the conference, a bilateral meeting was also held with the Deputy Chief of Defense of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria, Lieutenant General Krasimir Kanev. During the meeting, he expressed his appreciation for our participation in the NATO activity Forward Land Forces (FLF) in the Republic of Bulgaria, as well as for the support we provide to Allied Force units transiting through our country.
