SEDM Process

The annual South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 27 November 2025, chaired by SEDM Chairman, Ambassador a.h. Eleftherios Anghelopoulos.
This year's Ministerial, under the Chairmanship of the Hellenic Republic, placed particular emphasis on the progress of the SEDM projects. Nations welcomed the activities of the new Resilience project, designed to strengthen the ability of SEDM countries to withstand emerging challenges.
Participants also highlighted the ongoing work of IMIHO (Interconnection of Military Hospitals), a long-standing project that facilitates military-medical cooperation and the exchange of expertise among participating nations. The Ministers further acknowledged the relevance of the FLSD (Female Leaders in Security and Defence) project, which promotes the development, empowerment and networking of female leaders in the field of security and defence.
The Ministers were also briefed on the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG).
During the meeting the Ministers presented national views on the evolving security environment and reiterated that the SEDM Process continues to serve as a platform for dialogue, confidence-building, and practical defence cooperation, enabling the nations of South-Eastern Europe to work together for the security and stability of the region.

From 23 to 25 September 2025, the 54th PMSC Meeting and the 53rd SEDM-CC Meeting were held in Athens, under the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) Chairmanship of the Hellenic Republic. During the meetings, issues related to the strengthening of regional cooperation were discussed, in line with the principles and objectives of the SEDM Process, with particular emphasis on the implementation of cooperation Projects and on enhancing the effectiveness of SEEBRIG.

SEDM Chairmanship Handover – Takeover & SEEBRIG 26th Anniversary

The Ceremony of Handover-Takeover (HO-TO) of the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial Coordination Committee (SEDM-CC) and the Politico-Military Steering Committee (PMSC) Chairmanship and SEEBRIG 26th Anniversary took place in Kumanovo, Republic of North Macedonia, on the 3rd of September 2025.

Romania handed over the rotating SEDM Chairmanship to the Hellenic Republic.

The event was held in the presence of distinguished representatives from the SEDM member nations, international organizations and local authorities .

Official HO-TO Coordination Meeting of SEDM Secretariat in Athens

As of 1 July 2025, the Hellenic Republic has assumed the Chairmaship and the Secretariat of the SEDM from Romania for the forthcoming two-year period (1 July 2025 – 30 June 2027). The official handover took place on 3 July 2025 at a meeting held at the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers Club in Athens.

The delegation of Romania was headed by the outgoing Chairperson of SEDM Chairmanship Simona COJOCARU and the delegation of Hellenic Republic by the Chairman of the incoming Chairmanship Ambassador a.h. Eleftherios ANGHELOPOULOS.

The Secretariat of Romania handed over to the Secretariat of Hellenic Republic the electronic and printed archives of the Process, as well as the official seals of the SEDM-CC and PMSC.

Furthermore, presentations were delivered on the overall organization of the work, the current status of the Process and related projects, and the results achieved during the Romanian Chairmanship.

Experts from both sides engaged in detailed discussions on practical aspects concerning the specifics and organization of the Secretariat’s work.

At the conclusion of the meeting, an official protocol was signed by both parties formalizing the handing over and taking over of the SEDM archive.