Home >Latest News> Ministry of National Defence General Secretary A. Ιkonomou Attends SEDM Defence Minister Meeting in Tirana as Representative of Minister of National Defence N. Dendias

Ministry of National Defence General Secretary A. Ιkonomou Attends SEDM Defence Minister Meeting in Tirana as Representative of Minister of National Defence N. Dendias

November 6, 2024

On Wednesday, 6 November 2024, the General Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence Antonios Ιkonomou, representing the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, participated in the works of the annual Defence MinisterMeeting, in the context of the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) Process, which took placein Tirana.

The main axes of the Meeting concerned the national positions of the member states for SEDM's future, the consequences of the war in process in Ukraine, regional security, the annual review, as well as the scheduling of South-Eastern Europe Brigade Multinational Peace Force (SEEBRIG) activities for the following year.

During his intervention, the General Secretary mentioned the consequences of the multiple challenges and threats, a result of the developments in Ukraine, pointing out that good neighbourly relations and effective regional cooperation are the basis for long term stability and security in South-Eastern Europe.

He made special reference, among other things, to our country taking over SEDM Chairmanship for the 2025-2027 period and assured the participating member states that Greece is ready to work to maintain and protect the Initiative's fundamental principles and values.

Mr. Ikonomou mentioned Greece's support of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the valuable contribution of our country, including the provision of important humanitarian aid to the suffering Ukrainian people.

He pointed out the importance of the project that the international community must undertake for the reconstruction of Ukraine, whenever hostilities end.

Finally, he reiterated Greece's steadfast intent to maintain good neighbourly relations on the basis of - and in full compliance with - International Law, respect the sovereignty, the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of all states, fundamental principles that support cooperation to the benefit of the peoples and the security and stability in the broader South-Eastern Europe region.

Upon conclusion of the Meeting, SEDM member states adopted a Joint Communiqué with the work of the SEEBRIG Brigade and SEDM in general, through the development of existing and new programmes and initiatives and stressing the commitment of the countries to fundamental principles and rules of International Law and respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Initiative's member states.