SEDM-CC SECRETARIAT
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE 9th SEDM-CC MEETING
ISTANBUL, 26 SEPTEMBER 2003
The 9th SEDM-CC Meeting was held in Istanbul on 26 September 2003. The following annexes are attached to this document.
Annex "A":List of Participants
Annex “B”:Agenda of the 9th SEDM-CC Meeting
Annex “C”: Agenda of the DSEDM Meeting, Tirana, 24 October 2003
Annex “D”: Agenda of the SEDM Meeting, Zagreb, 19 November 2003
ITEM I. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (CHAIRMAN)
The proposed agenda was adopted (Annex B).
ITEM II.UPDATE ON SEDM-CC ACTIVITIES (CHAIRMAN)
The Chairman welcomed the representatives and expressed that he was honored to take over the Chairmanship of SEDM-CC from Romania as of 25 July 2003.
Having expressed his appreciation for Mr. Ovidiu Dranga, former Chairman of SEDM-CC for his strenuous efforts during his tenure, the Chairman underlined that the Turkish Chairmanship will continue to use the SEDM fora to address regional security challenges in order to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in the region.
The Chairman presented a record of SEDM-CC activities since the 8th SEDM-CC Meeting.
The Chairman kindly requested the nations chairing WG Meetings of SEDM Projects to keep the SEDM-CC and PMSC Secretariat up-to-date on the respective projects by sending essential documents and data such as minutes of WG meetings, concept papers and TORs etc. in due time.
ITEM III.UPDATE ON SEEBRIG ACTIVITIES (COMSEEBRIG)
Having expressed his gratitude to Maj. Gen. Kouzelis for his contributions to SEEBRIG, COMSEEBRIG, Brig. Gen. Giovanni Sulis, stated his commitment to continue further developing the Brigade.
COMSEEBRIG presented a record of SEEBRIG activities since the 8th SEDM-CC Meeting.
ITEM IV.UPDATE ON CIS PROJECT (COMSEEBRIG)
COMSEEBRIG presented an update on the CIS project.
ITEM V. UPDATE ON EXERCISE SEESIM 04 (TURKEY)
The Representative of Turkey presented an update to the SEDM-CC on the preparations of Exercise SEESIM-04.
The SEDM-CC noted the following positions of Turkey and Greece:
Regarding the national scenario of Greece, Turkey once more requested that Greece would offer a compromised solution that would be acceptable for both nations NLT IPC of SEESIM 04.
The Greek delegation noted the Turkish concerns and stated that according to the broad scenario of SEESIM 04 approved by the Ministers, a compromise among the nations for their respective national scenarios is not foreseen. Also stated that it is not authorized to discuss any changes on the already submitted national scenario. Last but not least the Greek delegation stated categorically that there is no intention of the Greek authorities to create any bilateral problems.
The US underlined that the lessons learned in the Ex SEESIM-02 should be implemented in SEESIM-04.
Nations reiterated their consensus on the participation of SEEBRIG in Exercise SEESIM 04 pointing out that SEESIM has been a SEDM project and SEEBRIG has been the most important component of the SEDM process.
The SEDM-CC tasked COMSEEBRIG to use SEEBRIG in SEESIM 04 within the existing SEEBRIG force structure and the draft multi-phase procedures for DRO developed by the SEDROWG.
ITEM VI. UPDATE ON SIMIHO (GREECE)
The Chairman of the SIMIHO/Technical WG briefed the SEDM-CC on the SIMIHO project.
Nations agreed that COMSEEBRIG should conduct a study on the availability of SEEBRIG’s capabilities to participate in the SIMIHO project and thus, indicate its financial and technical needs. Nations also agreed to consider SEEBRIG’s participation in the project in line with COMSEEBRIG’s findings.
ITEM VII. UPDATE ON SEDM INITIATIVE “DEFENCE/MILITARY SUPPORT TO WMD COUNTER PROLIFERATION, BORDER SECURITY AND COUNTER TERRORISM”
a.PRESENTATION ON CBSC PROJECT (ROMANIA)
The Representative of Romania presented an update on the CBSC project.
SEDM-CC expressed its appreciation to Romania for the efforts and achievements made so far and wished success to the Greek Chairmanship.
Romania stated that the CBSC project was one of the most important initiatives undertaken by SEDM. Romania also emphasized that this initiative would require inter-agency cooperation, at the national and regional level, in areas of common interest. Romania expressed its full support for the Greek Chairmanship of the CBSC WG to build upon its achievements.
- PRESENTATION ON FUTURE ACTIONS AND POLICIES OF THE CBSC WG (GREECE)
The Representative of Greece informed the SEDM-CC on the future actions and policies of the CBSC WG.
The Representative of Greece stated that the aim of the new Chairmanship of the WG will be to continue the implementation of the decisions taken so far and to consolidate current activities rather than expanding the scope of the Group’s activities mainly due to the availability of limited resources.
SEDM-CC asked the Greek Chairmanship to reconsider the date of the next CBSC WG meeting in Greece planned for 20 Nov. 03 and inform the Nations NLT 05 Nov. 03.
ITEM VIII. SUMMARY OF SEDM SEMINAR ON DEFENSE-MILITARY SUPPORT TO BORDER SECURITY IN BLED, SLOVENIA, 22-25 SEPTEMBER 2003. (USA AND SLOVENIA)
The Representative of Slovenia gave a summary regarding the SEDM Seminar on Defense-Military Support to Border Security held in Bled, Slovenia on 22-25 September 2003.
ITEM IX.UPDATE ON COOPERATION ON ARMAMENTS, DEFENSE INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (SEEDIRET) (GREECE)
The Representative of Greece presented an update on “Cooperation on Armaments, Defense Industry, Research and Technology” and briefed the SEDM-CC on the Planned Actions of the current Chair of SEEDIRET. The next meeting of this WG will be on 28 Nov 2003 in Athens.
ITEM X.SUMMARY OF THE US-SOUTH AFRICA DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE HELD IN PRETORIA, 1-8 AUGUST, 2003 (USA)
The Representative of USA briefed the SEDM-CC on the Military Integrated Environmental Management Conference (MIEM) held in Pretoria, South Africa on 1-8 August 2003.
ITEM XIAPPROVAL OF THE AGENDA FOR THE DSEDM MEETING, TIRANA, 24 OCTOBER 2003 (CHAIRMAN)
The agenda of the DSEDM Meeting to be held in Tirana on 24 October 2003 was approved and attached in Annex C.
ITEM XIIDSEDM MEETING – ORGANIZATIONAL DETAILS (ALBANIA)
The Representative of Albania presented the organizational details of the DSEDM Meeting to be held in Tirana on 24 October 2003.
SEDM Nations and SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat were kindly invited to send the registration forms of participants along with the CVs of the head of delegation NLT 03 October 2003.
ITEM XIIIAPPROVAL OF THE AGENDA FOR THE SEDM MEETING, ZAGREB, 19 NOVEMBER 2003 (CHAIRMAN)
The agenda of the SEDM Meeting to be held in Zagreb on 19 November 2003 was approved and attached in Annex D.
ITEM XIVORGANIZATIONAL DETAILS FOR THE SEDM MEETING TO BE HELD IN ZAGREB (CROATIA)
The Representative of Croatia presented the organizational details of the SEDM Meeting to be held in Zagreb on 19 November 2003.
SEDM Nations and SEDM-CC/PMSC Secretariat were kindly requested to send the registration forms of participants along with the CVs of the head of delegation NLT 17 October 2003.
ITEM XVANY OTHER BUSINESS
DISCUSSION ON DCHOD, DSEDM AND SEDM MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN 2004 AND SEDM-CC MEETING IN NOVEMBER 2003 (CHAIRMAN)
The Representative of Albania informed the SEDM-CC about the tri-lateral Defense Ministers Meeting within the framework of the Adriatic Charter held in Tirana 12 Sept. 2003.
Referring to the high-level SEDM meetings that have taken place so far, the Chairman asked the SEDM-CC to determine the volunteer host nation for the DCHOD, DMODs and MODs meetings to be held in 2004.
Albania volunteered to host the next DCHOD meeting in Tirana in May 2004.
Most delegations agreed with the US proposal to return to capitals for national positions on whether the annual SEDM DMODs meetings should be abolished. The US proposed that if consensus were reached by 03 Nov. 2003, this issue would be added to the agenda for the MODs approval in Zagreb on 19 Nov.2003.
The Greek Representative stated that he is not prepared and not authorized at this moment to discuss this issue. He also expressed his opinion that this issue should be discussed and decided among the Ministers.
The SEDM-CC decided that the SEDM-CC meeting in Nov 2003 would not be held due to the closeness of the dates of the next DSEDM and SEDM meetings.
The SEDM-CC requested nations to volunteer to host the MODs meeting in 2004 NLT the Joint Statement WG meeting in Zagreb on 19 Nov. 2003.
ITEM XVI DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The SEDM-CC agreed to hold its next meeting in Ankara in March 2004.
ITEM XVIIAPPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The SEDM-CC approved the Minutes of the 9th Meeting of SEDM-CC.
Uğur ERGUN
Ambassador
CHAIRMAN OF SEDM-CC AND PMSC
COL. Ali DEMiRAL
CHIEF OF SEDM-CC AND PMSC SECRETARIAT
1