Addressing the annual South Eastern Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) meeting here on Thursday, the caretaker Minister of Defence, Dimitar Stoyanov, said that the SEDM was established as a mechanism and one of the most important forums for regional cooperation and enhancing security and stability in South Eastern Europe. According to Stoyanov, it played a significant role in the process of strengthening goodneighbourly relations, in the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries of the region and has contributed to improving the military capabilities of the Bulgarian armed forces to deal with the security threats of the 21st century.
The forum is hosted by Sofia from November 16 to 18 within the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the SEDM Process.
Stoyanov noted that this year's meeting is held under the sign of the alarming events unfolding on the territory of independent Ukraine. "We assess this as the greatest threat to peace and global security since the end of World War II," said the Minister. He expressed respect for the courage of the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their struggle to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of their homeland.
Deputy Minister of Defence Teodora Genchovska delivered a welcome speech at the beginning of the forum. She said that since its establishment, the SEDM has promoted peace and understanding. She noted that the security challenges and threats facing the modern world are proof of the strong interdependence between nations and regions.
"We call on Russia to immediately stop the violence and withdraw its troops from Ukraine. Borders should not be abolished," said Genchovska. She emphasized that the situation calls for unity and assistance to Ukraine.
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