SEDM Defence Ministers meeting

In view of the current situation in southeast Europe and the developments in the neighbourhood, the formats of the kind offer an opportunity to discuss the crucial security and defence issues for all member countries. The initiatives such as SEDM constitute the opportunity for the aspirants from the region to make progress towards the membership in the EU and NATO as the best guarantees of the lasting stability.

In the introductory address the Croatian Defence Minister, Ante Kotromanović emphasised the current moment characterised by new unpredictable threats and challenges to the stability of the existing security architecture in southeast Europe within the European security context.

“We need  to be aware that the collective synergy is the only solution to respond adequately. Hence the importance of effective regional co-operation mechanisms, such as the SEDM – the earliest initiative fostering the regional security and defence co-operation and promoting the Euro-Atlantic values and dialogue. SEDM remains a desirable forum for the countries wishing to co-operate”, said the Minister, who expressed the honour over the opportunity to welcome Georgia as a new official SEDM member.

The Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Josip Leko, pointed to the emerging major challenges for the European and the global security. NATO Alliance remains the world’s most credible defence alliance, whose values are shared  by the Republic of Croatia as well. Croatia has found a lasting solution for its security and borders, and any person familiar with the history of Croatia is aware of the importance of the NATO membership. That is why Croatia supports further enlargements of the Aliance, as they imply “the continued unity of the European territory in the defence, economic and social aspects“, said the Speaker.
“Any effort towards the integration of the countries of the region into NATO is to be sustained. The co-operation among the countries of the region is a catalyst for the solving of the crucial problems in our neighbourhood, and therefore we welcome any forum of the kind”, said the Speaker.

The SEDM is a regional defence initiative gathering 15 member countries, which was incepted at the defence ministerial held in Tirana, Albania in 1996. The objective of the Initiative is the regional co-operation of the countries of southeast Europe, Italy and the United States of America  in the spirit of the Partnership for Peace, aimed at facilitated accession of the countries of the region to the Euro-Atlantic integration.
 
In the statement given before the second part of the session Minister Kotromanović stressed the defence ministers of Greece and Turkey attending the meetings of the second day of th Comprehensive Regional Ministerial, “which will be an opportunity to discuss the pressing problems, such as the migrants crisis. We expect productive meetings with the ministers of the region in order to explore the options for the ministers of defence to contribute to the solution of the problems faced by Europe”, said the Minister.