As part of the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Southeast European Defence Ministerial (SEDM) Process (2009-2011), Sofia is hosting the 24th Meeting of the Politico-Military Steering Committee of the Multinational Peace Force Southeastern Europe (PMSC) and the 23rd Meeting of the SEDM Coordination Committee (SEDM-CC) between September 13 and 15, 2010, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry said on Monday.

The meetings are presided over by PMSC/SEDMC-CC Chairperson and Bulgarian Deputy Defence Minister Avgustina Tzvetkova. Taking part are representatives of the SEDM Nations (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Italy, FYRMacedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey,
Ukraine and the US), of the NATO commands in Naples and Lisbon, and experts of Alliance agencies.

They will discuss the activity and prospects of the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) and the opportunities for further development of SEDM, as well as topical issues of regional security and defence cooperation.

"SEDM is one of the most important forums for regional security cooperation," Tzvetkova said in her statement, quoted in the press release. "So far the process has been instrumental in the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries in the region, and we must continue to encourage the efforts towards peace and stability, cooperation and good-neighbour relations in Southeastern Europe, to enhance our military capabilities, so as to cope with security threats in the 21st century," she added.