CHRONOLOGY OF DCHOD (DEPUTY CHIEF OF DEFENSE) MEETINGS
- 1999, Athens. There were presented two SEDM projects: CIN project - with SEDM funds; Engineer Task Force project - under SEEBRIG command and control.
- 2001, Florence.The opening seesion included a scrutiny of humanitarian relief and assistance operations. The second part of the meeting was dedicated to SEEBRIG operational readiness. During the meeting, Ukraine requested to participate as observer to the MPFSEE and SEDM process.
- 2002, Bucharest. The Deputy Chiefs of Defense were informed about the PMSC decision of 13-14 March 2002 that SEEBRIG would be represented at NATO by the country providing the Commander of SEEBRIG. The Deputy Chiefs of Defense of MPFSEE endorsed the initial consolidated SEEBRIG Force Package, presented by the Commander of SEEBRIG, based on updated ORBAT lists and additional information from the nations.
- 2003, Rome. The Deputy Chiefs of Defense emphasized their determination to implement the commitment of their Ministers at the 11 December 2002 SEDM meeting in Rome, Italy, “to rapid implementation by August 2003, of the approved SEEBRIG CIS Project dated Plovdiv, Bulgaria, December 3, 2002.” The Deputy Chiefs of Defense of the MPFSEE countries also stated that SEEBRIG deployment is a top priority of SEEBRIG contributing nations. They reiterated the importance of SEEBRIG deployment in a NATO-led peace support operation to maintain SEDM and MPFSEE credibility. The Deputy Chiefs od Defense emphasized their continued support for ongoing NATO operations in the region, and their continued commitment to contribute to NATO’s efforts to enhance security and stability in South Eastern Europe.
- 2004, Duress. Ukraine participated as observer. The seven SEDM Deputy Chiefs of Defense reiterated the intent of their nations to assist SEDM Partners in the Adriatic Charter to move closer to NATO membership. DCHODs noted the US proposal to undertake further steps to facilitate the integration of Adriatic Charter Nations with NATO, and to assist Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro with NATO PfP membership. DCHODs also exchanged views on SEDM activities and the deployment of SEEBRIG in a PSO. In this regard, they highlighted the strong political will of the MPFSEE nations to deploy SEEBRIG. DCHODs stressed the need of having strong and appropriate logistic support to SEEBRIG HQ. While DCHODs noted completion of the first phase of the CIS project, they recognized existing shortcomings. They confirmed the urgent need to address CIS security requirements and extension before the Full Operational Capability (FOC) evaluation to be conducted in October 04, and called upon the MPFSEE nations to make every effort in that regard.
- 2005, Skopje. The deputy Chiefs of Defense expressed their gratitude to JFC Naples for the assistance and the contribution provided to the HQ SEEBRIG during NATO certification process. In this meeting, mission opportunities were discussed by the DCHODs. Nations agreed, in principle, on SEEBRIG employment in mission and requested further information on the details of mission requirements, as their national procedures require. All DCHODs welcomed the new PMSC Chairman and new COMSEEBRIG.
- 2006, Sofia. DCHODs were presented with updates on PMSC, SEDM –CC and SEEBRIG activities, with a focus on the ongoing SEEBRIG mission in Afghanistan.
- 2007, Zagreb. The new PMSC Chairman and new COMSEEBRIG were introduced to DCHODs. There were presented updates on PMSC, SEDM –CC and SEEBRIG activities, and a report on MPFSEE Agreement revision. Future SEEBRIG engagement was discussed, taking into account the update on NATO Operations by JFC Brunsumm representative.
- 2008, Sarajevo. The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff of SEDM countries convened in Sarajevo on June 26, 2008 to take further steps in strengthening cooperation and enhancing stability, security and prosperity in South-Eastern Europe. The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff welcomed the briefing given by SEDM-CC and PMSC Chairperson on SEDM-CC and PMSC activities since the last SEDM DCHODs Meeting.The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff commended the excellent work of the MPFSEE Nations, SEEBRIG and SEDM-CC and PMSC Secretariat with reference to the 5th Additional Protocol to MPFSEE Agreement.They highlighted their contentment on producing and developing the text of the 5th Additional Protocol to MPFSEE Agreement, thus enabling SEEBRIG to become more capable for taking part in PSO.The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff highly praised the endorsement of the PMSC Public Diplomacy Strategy, a process which will be coordinated and approved by PMSC on an annual basis and implemented by MPFSEE.
- 2010, Ljubljana. The Deputy Chief of
- 2011, Istanbul. The PMSC/SEDM – CC Chairperson placed emphasis on the strong political message delivered by the Ministers of Defense during their last meeting in Tirana in October 2010 to continue the cooperative work with a focus on increasing the efficiency of certain SEDM initiatives along with producing improved SEEBRIG employment enabling procedures. All participants in the meeting took note that Building Integrity NATO Initiative could help to implement a policy of openness and transparency in the aims to build up and develop defense capabilities for fighting against corruption and welcomed the possibility to establish a new future project. The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff highlighted that SEEBRIG remains an important instrument contributing to peace and security and a main pillar of regional defense cooperation. The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff expressed their continuous support for ongoing NATO-led operations and reiterated their commitment to contribute to NATO and its partner’s joint efforts to strengthen security, stability and durable peace in the world and particularly in South-Eastern Europe.
-2012, Sofia. The Deputy Chiefs of Defense/General Staff welcomed the update presented by SEDM-CC and PMSC Chairman on SEDM-CC and PMSC activities since the last SEDM DCHODs Meeting. The Chairperson emphasized the importance of the decisions, taken by the Ministers of Defense during their last meeting in Antalya in October 2011, especially the review of the SEDM objectives and relationship with main International Organizations and regional initiatives through the ongoing process of the SEDM Strategic Review. They thanked the Chairman for the update given especially on SEDM projects and the way ahead. They also stressed the importance of efforts to enhance the SEEBRIG effectiveness as a tool to actively contribute to security, cooperation and stability within the SEDM process. Among others, the Deputy Chiefs of Defense/General Staff thanked COMSEEBRIG, Brigadier General Zdravko Popovski, for his briefing concerning the HQ SEEBRIG activities since the last DCHOD’s Meeting. They gave positive assessment for the exhaustive analysis of all courses of action of study on possible Mentoring and Training Role for the SEEBRIG or its HQ. In this respect they recommended to consider COMSEEBRIG’s conclusion in the ongoing Strategic Review to be presented during the next Ministerial meeting. DCHODs took note of COMSEEBRIG’s proposal concerning the adoption of NATO Standard rotation criteria (three years tour of duty) for personnel and the necessity to overcome some overlapping problems under a cost-effective approach.The Deputy Chiefs of Defense/General Staff appreciated the update on the tax exemption and fiscal regime application on SEEBRIG given by Greece and are confident in the definition of an appropriate way ahead to be discussed during the next Ministerial Meeting.