South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) - formation established by seven participating nations in order to contribute to the regional security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area
SEEBRIG Speeches

Speech of COMSEEBRIG, BG Bilbil BITRI, at the Ceremony for the PMSC Secretariat Handover-Takeover, SEEBRIG Command Handover-Takeover and 24th Anniversary of SEEBRIG HQ, Kumanovo/Na-5, 31 August 2023

Good morning every one!

It is a significant day for SEEBRIG and It is a very special day for me.

Your Excellency,

Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Jajaga

Chief of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia, LTG Gjurchinovski.,

Madam Chair, Mrs. Cojocaru

Your excellences Ambassadors,

Generals,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

My fellow brothers in arms! Family members,

Thank you all for being here today.

It is my distinct pleasure to stand before you, and I’m deeply honored and humbled for the trust that Prime minister and minister of defense of Albania have placed on me to assume the responsibility as the new commander of SEEBGIG, and giving the opportunity to lead and serve alongside with these talented people.

First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to our outgoing commander, Brigadier General Mitroutsikos. Dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment exhibited by BG Mitroutsikos, have further strengthened SEEBRIG and will help us for future accomplishments.

It is my obligation now to build upon the achievements and make sure that SEEBRIG adapts and transforms.

To our political leaders that are here with us today, I want to assure you that SEEBGIG, is and will stand ready to carry out its mission following your guidance and direction.

To our community leaders and partners. Mr Mayor, thank you and the people of Kumanov0 for the warmth and generosity you all shown to us. You should know now that Kumanov0 and Camp BORO MENKOV are home of SEEBRIG as much as they are yours.

Former commanders, it’s good to have you here and I thank you for the outstanding leadership and the contribution you have made to make this organization what is today.

Today is also the day to recognize challenges that lie ahead.  Certain events have the power to shape the world’s history, at the point where we say – the world is not going to be the same; life is no longer as we knew it.

Unfortunately these are not movie clichés, it is the real world we live in, which is characterized by vulnerability, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.

We cannot afford to ignore those facts, instead we have to be driven by them.

The Euro-Atlantic area is not at peace. This is stated in the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept. I think it says it all.  The unprovoked and unjustified aggression of Russia against Ukraine has shaken geopolitics of the world and the security environment in the old continent.

On the other hand the mighty nature it is affecting lives of our communities at the magnitude that hasn’t been seen for a long time.

I would have loved as many of you to be strong enough “to change the direction of wind”, however we all together can adjust compass to reach our destination.

We can’t stop the mighty nature in pursuing its course, at least in the near future, but we can do more to help our people when nature hits.  Also maybe is the time that SEEBRIG looks beyond only the Peace Support and Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Assistance Operations.

First and foremost peace must be preserved.

My fellow brothers and sisters in arms – the SEEBRIG team.

You represent the very best of your nations and you have demonstrated the dedication and committed to adhere to the very founding principles of this organization: preserve and promote regional security and stability; fostering good neighborly relations and all of these in the spirit of Partnership for Peace.

It will be the honor of my life serving alongside with you and leading you, to meet the expectations of our masters and those of our great nations.

I promise you my best efforts every day. I will likewise count on each of you to bring your best efforts every day, and I know you will.

Don’t forget – It is always the people that make a great organization.

And we are certainly committed do that because we stand for: One team – One mission and we are SEEBRIG family!

Thank you again, and may God bless each of you.