Minister Helez host of SEDM ministerial meeting: Joint commitment to peace is the best response to challenges

(Patria) - Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez hosted the Ministerial Meeting within the Southeast Europe Defence Ministerial Process (SEDM) initiative, which was held in Sarajevo on November 26 and 27, 2025, under the Greek presidency. Visiting delegations included heads of defense ministries from 15 countries, as well as representatives of organizations with which SEDM cooperates (NATO, UNDP SEESAC, RACVIAC, and RCC).

Along with Minister Helez, the meeting at the "Hills" hotel was opened by the Chairman of the SEDM Initiative, Honorary Greek Ambassador Eleftherios Anghelopoulos, in the presence of the Ministers of Defense of five SEDM member countries (Montenegro, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, and Slovenia), five Deputy Ministers of Defense (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, and Turkey), and representatives of the ministries of other Initiative members. The delegation of the host country also included the Assistant Minister of Defense of BiH for International Cooperation, Zoran Šajinović.

Each delegation had the opportunity to present its view on current security threats and international military-political challenges, as well as the most effective forms of mutual cooperation. Promoting regional security, stability, and cooperation in Southeast Europe, as well as strengthening good neighborly relations, are always key themes of this forum. The security situation in the world was also discussed, and opinions were exchanged on the impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine on the Southeast European region.

Speaking at the concluding address of the meeting, the Minister of Defense of BiH, Zukan Helez, emphasized that the security of Southeast Europe is inseparable from the security of all of Europe. He highlighted that the SEDM initiative has proven to be a valuable framework for strengthening trust, understanding, and coordination among Southeast European countries, as well as a bridge towards the broader Euro-Atlantic space.

"Our joint commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation is the best response to today's challenges," said Helez.

"We are facing numerous challenges – from Russian aggression and the war in Ukraine, through geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, to the growing threats of terrorism, cyber attacks, and hybrid warfare. Precisely because of this, it is our common responsibility to continue building capacities through SEDM, developing the interoperability of our armed forces, and ensuring that we are prepared to respond to all threats that endanger the stability of our countries and the security of our citizens."

Minister Helez also particularly emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in the defense industry, through increasing production capacities and modernizing technologies, exchanging information, and joint training, in order to ensure that SEDM remains a relevant and effective mechanism for regional security in this area as well.

"Today we met in a security environment that is more fluid, complex, and challenging than ever before in recent history," said Greek Ambassador Anghelopoulos in his address to the media, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Greece, Athanasios Davakis.

"Precisely such a demanding environment particularly emphasizes the importance of an initiative like SEDM. I am pleased that our meeting throughout its duration was imbued with a spirit of cooperation and a clear desire to strengthen the security environment, which is also reflected in the joint statement adopted today," said Chairman Anghelopoulos.

"With our joint statement, we confirmed the common principles of SEDM, which are in the best interest of our peoples: respect for International Law and territorial integrity, good neighborly relations, and strengthening stability and cooperation in the Southeast European region," concluded the Deputy Greek Minister of Defense, Athanasios Davakis, in his statement.

The SEDM initiative has been a key platform for building trust, improving defense cooperation, and supporting the Euro-Atlantic integration of Southeast European countries for over two decades. Through concrete projects, joint exercises, and political dialogue, SEDM has contributed to strengthening the interoperability of our armed forces and creating a safer environment for all citizens of Southeast Europe.