The opening seesion included a scrutiny of humanitarian relief and assistance operations. The second part of the meeting was dedicated to SEEBRIG operational readiness. During the meeting, Ukraine requested to participate as observer to the MPFSEE and SEDM process.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defense were informed about the PMSC decision of 13-14 March 2002 that SEEBRIG would be represented at NATO by the country providing the Commander of SEEBRIG. The Deputy Chiefs of Defense of MPFSEE endorsed the initial consolidated SEEBRIG Force Package, presented by the Commander of SEEBRIG, based on updated ORBAT lists and additional information from the nations.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defense emphasized their determination to implement the commitment of their Ministers at the 11 December 2002 SEDM meeting in Rome, Italy, “to rapid implementation by August 2003, of the approved SEEBRIG CIS Project dated Plovdiv, Bulgaria, December 3, 2002.” The Deputy Chiefs of Defense of the MPFSEE countries also stated that SEEBRIG deployment is a top priority of SEEBRIG contributing nations. They reiterated the importance of SEEBRIG deployment in a NATO-led peace support operation to maintain SEDM and MPFSEE credibility. The Deputy Chiefs od Defense emphasized their continued support for ongoing NATO operations in the region, and their continued commitment to contribute to NATO’s efforts to enhance security and stability in South Eastern Europe.

Ukraine participated as observer. The seven SEDM Deputy Chiefs of Defense reiterated the intent of their nations to assist SEDM Partners in the Adriatic Charter to move closer to NATO membership. DCHODs noted the US proposal to undertake further steps to facilitate the integration of Adriatic Charter Nations with NATO, and to assist Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro with NATO PfP membership. DCHODs also exchanged views on SEDM activities and the deployment of SEEBRIG in a PSO. In this regard, they highlighted the strong political will of the MPFSEE nations to deploy SEEBRIG. DCHODs stressed the need of having strong and appropriate logistic support to SEEBRIG HQ. While DCHODs noted completion of the first phase of the CIS project, they recognized existing shortcomings. They confirmed the urgent need to address CIS security requirements and extension before the Full Operational Capability (FOC) evaluation to be conducted in October 04, and called upon the MPFSEE nations to make every effort in that regard.

The deputy Chiefs of Defense expressed their gratitude to JFC Naples for the assistance and the contribution provided to the HQ SEEBRIG during NATO certification process. In this meeting, mission opportunities were discussed by the DCHODs. Nations agreed, in principle, on SEEBRIG employment in mission and requested further information on the details of mission requirements, as their national procedures require. All DCHODs welcomed the new PMSC Chairman and new COMSEEBRIG.

DCHODs were presented with updates on PMSC, SEDM –CC and SEEBRIG activities, with a focus on the ongoing SEEBRIG mission in Afghanistan.

The new PMSC Chairman and new COMSEEBRIG were introduced to DCHODs. There were presented updates on PMSC, SEDM –CC and SEEBRIG activities, and a report on MPFSEE Agreement revision. Future SEEBRIG engagement was discussed, taking into account the update on NATO Operations by JFC Brunsumm representative.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff of SEDM countries convened in Sarajevo on June 26, 2008 to take further steps in strengthening cooperation and enhancing stability, security and prosperity in South-Eastern Europe. The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff welcomed the briefing given by SEDM-CC and PMSC Chairperson on SEDM-CC and PMSC activities since the last SEDM DCHODs Meeting.The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff commended the excellent work of the MPFSEE Nations, SEEBRIG and SEDM-CC and PMSC Secretariat with reference to the 5th Additional Protocol to MPFSEE Agreement.They highlighted their contentment on producing and developing the text of the 5th Additional Protocol to MPFSEE Agreement, thus enabling SEEBRIG to become more capable for taking part in PSO.The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff highly praised the endorsement of the PMSC Public Diplomacy Strategy, a process which will be coordinated and approved by PMSC on an annual basis and implemented by MPFSEE.

The Deputy Chief ofMontenegro and Serbian Armed Forces and the Deputy Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces attended the meeting with observer status. Representatives of SEDM-CC and PMSC Secretariat introduced the 2009-2010 priorities of the Chair Country. Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff welcomed the invitation ofMontenegro andSerbia to become full-fledged members of SEDM alsoBosnia and Herzegovina to join the initiative as an observer country to SEEBRIG. The MPFSEE Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff expressed their appreciation for the PMSC decision to establish a High Level Expert Meeting on the SEEBRIG to identify the Brigade’s future operational capabilities. The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff expresses that in the context of SEDM process, SEDM projects and SEEBRIG study are an example of contribution to cooperation improvement as well as efficiency of integration acting within member countries and beyond regional borders.

The Deputy Chief ofMontenegro and Serbian Armed Forces and the Deputy Chief of Joint Staff of the Georgian Armed Forces attended the meeting with observer status. Representatives of SEDM-CC and PMSC Secretariat introduced the 2009-2010 priorities of the Chair Country. Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff welcomed the invitation ofMontenegro andSerbia to become full-fledged members of SEDM alsoBosnia and Herzegovina to join the initiative as an observer country to SEEBRIG. The MPFSEE Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff expressed their appreciation for the PMSC decision to establish a High Level Expert Meeting on the SEEBRIG to identify the Brigade’s future operational capabilities. The Deputy Chiefs of Defence/General Staff expresses that in the context of SEDM process, SEDM projects and SEEBRIG study are an example of contribution to cooperation improvement as well as efficiency of integration acting within member countries and beyond regional borders.

The Deputy Chiefs of Defense/General Staff welcomed the update presented by SEDM-CC and PMSC Chairman on SEDM-CC and PMSC activities since the last SEDM DCHODs Meeting. The Chairperson emphasized the importance of the decisions, taken by the Ministers of Defense during their last meeting in Antalya in October 2011, especially the review of the SEDM objectives and relationship with main International Organizations and regional initiatives through the ongoing process of the SEDM Strategic Review. They thanked the Chairman for the update given especially on SEDM projects and the way ahead. They also stressed the importance of efforts to enhance the SEEBRIG effectiveness as a tool to actively contribute to security, cooperation and stability within the SEDM process. Among others, the Deputy Chiefs of Defense/General Staff thanked COMSEEBRIG, Brigadier General Zdravko Popovski, for his briefing concerning the HQ SEEBRIG activities since the last DCHOD’s Meeting. They gave positive assessment for the exhaustive analysis of all courses of action of study on possible Mentoring and Training Role for the SEEBRIG or its HQ. In this respect they recommended to consider COMSEEBRIG’s conclusion in the ongoing Strategic Review to be presented during the next Ministerial meeting. DCHODs took note of COMSEEBRIG’s proposal concerning the adoption of NATO Standard rotation criteria (three years tour of duty) for personnel and the necessity to overcome some overlapping problems under a cost-effective approach.The Deputy Chiefs of Defense/General Staff appreciated the update on the tax exemption and fiscal regime application on SEEBRIG given by Greece and are confident in the definition of an appropriate way ahead to be discussed during the next Ministerial Meeting.

The meeting was opened by Georgian First Deputy Minister, Mr. Levan Dolidze, who welcomed the participants and specially appreciated the presence of the SEDM CC & PMSC Chairman, H.E. Gioacchino Alfano and COMSEEBRIG, Brigadier General Zdravko POPOVSKI.On the meeting the Vice-Chairman on SEDM-CC and PMSC updated the DCHODs with the SEDM-CC and PMSC activities since last DCHOD meeting. The importance of the decisions, taken by the Ministers of Defence during their last meeting in Sarajevo on October 2012, SEDM Strategic Review, and keeping relationship with main International Organizations was emphasized. The decisions of Ukraine to join the Building Integrity project and Republic of Serbia to send a Liaison Officer as an observer of MPFSEE was also welcomed.COMSEEBRIG, BG Zdravko POPOVSKI briefed for the activities carried out by SEEBRIG since last DCHOD meeting. Deputy Chiefs of Defence stressed the importance of SEEBRIG HQ participation in the exercises such as “Combined Endeavor 13”, “SEESIM 12” and other training activities and expressed their appreciation for the successful preparation and execution of SEEBRIG’ s main event, Command Post Exercise “SEVEN STARS 12”, which have contributed to the enhancement of SEEBRIG operational capabilities. They also acknowledge SEEBRIG’ s efforts to expand the linkage with international and Regional Organizations and to seek all training opportunities. Finally they highlighted that SEEBRIG remains an important instrument contributing to peace and security and a main pillar of regional defence cooperation.The Chairman of PMSC informed Deputy Chiefs of Defence about the state of play for the location of SEEBRIG HQ after 2015, and suggested to handle this issue on the next SEDM Ministerial Meeting with final decision by the Ministers of Defence.

The annual DCHOD Meeting was held in Belgrade on 11^th June 2014 with the primary goal of fostering further military cooperation in South-Eastern Europe in order to strengthen stability, security and prosperity in the Region. The meeting was opened by the Serbian deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Zoran DJORDJEVIĆ, who welcomed the participants, the PMSC and SEDM-CC Chairman Mr. Valeriu NICUŢ, Deputy Chiefs of Defense of SEDM Nations and the Commander of SEEBRIG. At the meeting the Chairman on SEDM-CC and PMSC updated the DCHODs with the SEDM-CC and PMSC activities since last DCHOD meeting, where he emphasize the importance of the decisions taken by the Ministers of Defense on the last SEDM Ministerial in Brdo, Slovenia 2013. He also informed Deputy Chiefs of Defense about keeping the rotational principle of SEEBRIG HQ between Na 2, Na 3 and Na7. COMSEEBRIG briefed for the activities carried out by SEEBRIG since the last DCHOD meeting, stressing the new logic of annual exercise-planning policy, which was welcomed by the DCHODs. Deputy Chiefs of Defense from MPFSEE Nations appreciated the announcement of Na7 for the readiness and willingness to overtake the PMSC and SEDM-CC Secretariat and to fill COMSEEBRIG’s position in the period of 2015-2017.

The annual DCHOD Meeting was held in Belgrade on 11^th June 2014 with the primary goal of fostering further military cooperation in South-Eastern Europe in order to strengthen stability, security and prosperity in the Region. The meeting was opened by the Serbian deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Zoran DJORDJEVIĆ, who welcomed the participants, the PMSC and SEDM-CC Chairman Mr. Valeriu NICUŢ, Deputy Chiefs of Defense of SEDM Nations and the Commander of SEEBRIG. At the meeting the Chairman on SEDM-CC and PMSC updated the DCHODs with the SEDM-CC and PMSC activities since last DCHOD meeting, where he emphasize the importance of the decisions taken by the Ministers of Defense on the last SEDM Ministerial in Brdo, Slovenia 2013. He also informed Deputy Chiefs of Defense about keeping the rotational principle of SEEBRIG HQ between Na 2, Na 3 and Na7. COMSEEBRIG briefed for the activities carried out by SEEBRIG since the last DCHOD meeting, stressing the new logic of annual exercise-planning policy, which was welcomed by the DCHODs. Deputy Chiefs of Defense from MPFSEE Nations appreciated the announcement of Na7 for the readiness and willingness to overtake the PMSC and SEDM-CC Secretariat and to fill COMSEEBRIG’s position in the period of 2015-2017.

The annual DCHOD Meeting was held on 9^th June 2016.

DCHODs fully supported the assessment of the Chairman of SEDM-CC/PMSC, indicating that the member nations’ commitment to fundamental goal to intensify understanding and political-military cooperation in the South Eastern Europe should be preserved for the purpose of strengthening stability and security in the region and that as the process marks its 20th Anniversary in 2016, this might constitute a good opportunity for the member nations as well as the Secretariat to seek the means and tools to strengthen the effectiveness of the process. They commended the efforts made by the PMSC regarding the proposal of offering SEEBRIG to NATO within the Framework Nation Concept in order to promote the visibility and readiness of SEEBRIG. It was recognized the importance of the efforts to enhance SEEBRIG effectiveness as a mechanism to actively contribute to security, cooperation and stability within the SEDM Process in general, and particularly related to seeking the most appropriate ways for engagement of SEEBRIG in various activities, including training and operations. The consolidation and optimization of SEEBRIG relationship with IOs, especially with NATO, were underlined.

The annual DCHOD Meeting was held on 13^th June 2018.

DCHODs welcomed the achievements of the MFPSEE to date, as in 2018 is celebrated the 20^th Anniversary of the MFPSEE Agreement and reiterated their commitment to further enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Process through increased cooperation among Member Nations. They welcomed the report of COMSEEBRIG, Brigadier General Tudorică PETRACHE concerning the HQ SEEBRIG activities since the last DCHOD Meeting and thanked COMSEEBRIG for his tireless work to enhance the effectiveness of SEEBRIG as a tool to actively contribute to peace, security, stability and cooperation in SEE and beyond. The SEEBRIG’s medium-term plan about exercise and trainings with relevant NATO HQs and the other organizations in the region was also emphasized, noting that “SEVEN STARS 2018” exercise will enhance the interoperability with NATO structures and other organizations and will generate a better understanding of Peace Support Operation, Disaster Relief Operation, and Humanitarian Assistance Operations among SEEBRIG HQ and SEEBRIG affiliated units. It was appreciated the update on the critical issue of US request for returning the donated CIS equipment and the saliency of the need for the aforementioned equipment and the importance of its existence to SEEBRIG’s mission accomplishment. Athens proposal to revitalize the SEEDRO Concept in order to identify basic elements of SEEBRIG’s possible role in Disaster Relief Operations was also welcomed.

The next DCHOD meeting will be hosted by Skopje

The annual DCHOD Meeting was held on 7^th June 2017.

DCHODs deemed that trust, mutual understanding, transparency, and good neighborly relations are key factors for regional peace, security and stability, which are fundamentally important to the SEDM Process. They appreciated the result of the SEESIM-16 Computer Assisted Exercise (CAX) executed successfully and emphasized that SEESIM Exercise is a valuable tool for promoting cooperation and interoperability among Members, which should be supported by all Member Nations. The consolidation and optimization of SEEBRIG relations with lOs, especially with NATO were also re-emphasized.