The Minister of National Defence, Mihnea Motoc, participated in the South-Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM), hosted by Italy, in Rome, on Tuesday, October 18. This year's event marks the 20th anniversary of the SEDM Process, a regional initiative that contributed along this entire period maintaining peace and confidence, as well as strengthening good neighbourly relations and close cooperation among the states in South-Eastern Europe.

The activity brought together SEDM member states, the defence minister of the Republic of Moldova that has observer status, as well as representatives of some regional security organisations, such as the Centre for Security Cooperation RACVIAC-SE Europe and the Centre for Regional Cooperation RCC.

During his speeches, Minister Motoc stressed Romania's determination to play an active role in SEDM and to contribute to all ongoing projects. In this respect, the Romanian minister proposed that SEEBRIG join the Muntinational Division South-East (MND-SE), with a view to training personnel and involve SEEBRIG Command into common exercises with MND-SE, conducted NATO standards.

Mihnea Motoc confirmed initiating the process of selection for the future Romanian SEEBRIG commander over 2017 to 2020 when Romania will hold this position and stated our country's willingness to host SEEBRIG Command in accordance with the MPFSEE Agreement, reiterating Romania's commitment to continue developing the program Female Leaders in Security and Defence, in its capacity as leading nation till the end of 2017.

The Minister of National Defence had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from: Italy, Roberta Pinotti, Turkey, Fikri Isik, and the Republic of Moldova, Anatol Salaru. During the talks they discussed the stage of the relations with the respective countries and other topics of mutual interest on the NATO and EU agenda.

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The South-East Defence Ministerial takes place annualy and aims at assessing the stage of the projects conducted under the SEDM aegis, discussing and approving the documents for the future activity of SEDM-CC, PMSC/MPFSEE and SEEBRIG.

Press Department