Speech of COMSEEBRIG, BG Bilbil BITRI, at the Ceremony for the 25th SEEBRIG Anniversary
Excellencies,
Admirals, Generals,
Honored guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning, – Mirëmëngjes,- Dorbo Utro, – Kalimera, – Dobro Utro, – Buna Diminjaca, – Günaydın!
What a great day to have all of you here in camp “Boro Menkov”, the home of SEEBRIG since 2020, to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of South-Eastern Europe Brigade.
My colleagues and I are deeply honored and delighted by your presence, making this celebration even more special for all of us. I would like to sincerely thank you all for being here today.
Twenty-five years ago, wise and visionary leaders from Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania and Türkiye, had the tenacity to sign the agreement establishing SEEBRIG on the principles of cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the values that bind us.
We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude,
Since its inception, SEEBRIG has become a beacon of unity, bringing together professional militaries from nations with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and histories but united by common shared values and a common purpose: to promote military cooperation, to ensure the safety and security of our people and to contribute to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
All that SEEBRIG represents and stands for is divinely enshrined in the flag we salute and the patch we wear every day. The Star being the symbol of the truth, and of the spirit and hope. The White Dove with the olive branch being the symbol of peace, a shared vision for a peaceful world.
But SEEBRIG and its 25 years of history are not only us in uniform, and not only Kumanovo. SEEBRIG, unequally different from any other military structure of the same nature, it has been located in four other great cities and it is privileged to call home Plovdiv, Constanta, Istanbul, and Tyrnavos.
To these cities and their people SEEBRIG is sincerely grateful.
Without their generous hospitality and support and without the support and cooperation of a wide range of institutions, governmental and non-governmental agencies and NATO entities, SEEBRIG wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what it has in the past twenty-five years.
It has been a journey not without challenges and difficulties. Afterwards, we all realize that world has changed since and the security environment along with it, which in February 2022 with Russian aggression against Ukraine took a sharper turn for the worse.
As the evolution theory suggests – the natural selection leaves only those who are able to adapt to the requirements of the surrounding environment, so it has and does for SEEBRIG. Adaptation at the speed of relevance is the only good answer.
We, may not be able to predict the future, but there are and always be signs that help us to anticipate it. It is up to us to read these signs well and to act swiftly and decisively.
If SEEBRIG was able to deploy in Afghanistan in 2006, it certainly is ready today and tomorrow to carry out a given mission. We train, and exercises on NATO standards and producers and with NATO entities. We must continue to adapt but also to transform. Change is happening fast. Keeping up with it is a challenge, yet we must.
Today, we celebrate not only the achievements of our organization but also the spirit of collaboration and camaraderie that has defined our journey. It is through the dedication of our service members across our six countries, the wisdom of our civilian and military leaders, and the support of our communities that we have reached this significant milestone.
Heading to the future years we reaffirm our commitment to the principles that have guided us over the past 25 years. Let us continue to stand together, united in our purpose, as we face the challenges that lie ahead and exploit new opportunities. Our mission remains as critical today as it was a quarter of a century ago, and I have the strong confidence that our organization will continue to thrive and make a lasting impact on region and beyond.
To all my fellow soldiers of SEEBRIG, to our SEEBRIG family.
Thank you for your support, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to our shared mission. Together, we will continue to build a safer and more secure world for generations to come.
Here’s to the next 25 years of excellence and commitment to peace.
Thank you.