Secretary General congratulates SEEGROUP on 10th anniversary
On May 28 2009, the NATO Secretary General addressed the South East Europe Security Cooperation Steering Group (SEEGROUP) with a message of congratulation for the 10th anniversary of the group and the success achieved so far.
The Secretary General said that NATO remains committed to supporting the work of the SEEGROUP in fostering cooperation and security in the Balkans.
"Euro-Atlantic integration of the entire region, based on democratic values and regional cooperation remain key for lasting peace and stability. I congratulate the important role played by the South East Europe Initiative and the Adriatic Charter in fostering regional cooperation, building confidence, and facilitating the Euro-Atlantic integration process of the Western Balkans", he said.
Since its inception in the second half of the 2000, SEEGROUP continues to be an important forum that contributes to the regional cooperation. The Group enables participating countries to work together in a very transparent way, exchange experience related to the security and defence sectors, launch joint project and initiatives in a way to contribute to the common goal of strengthening stability and security in the region. The work of SEEGROUP is of particular significance, provided that SEE countries take ownership and hold leading roles in various projects and responsibilities for cooperation in security related fields.
Cooperation within the SEEGROUP framework has gained increasing importance with respect to new challenges facing the region and the Euro-Atlantic area, such as the fight against terrorism and climate and environmental challenges. Therefore the work of SEEGROUP was more focused in the last years on security issues and civil emergency planning.
The success and wide range of activities in which SEEGROUP engages is witnessed by the participation of a larger number of Allies and Partners in the meetings.
The SEEGROUP has been designed to support regional practical co-operation in the area of security and defense, as well as to improve harmonisation and coordination among the regional countries.
The SEEGROUP was established as part of the NATO South East Europe Initiative (SEEI).
The SEEGROUP especially benefited from continuous and active participation of interested NATO Allies, as well as regional and non-regional interested PfP Partner countries.
The chairmanship of the SEEGROUP rotates among countries from the region.
Right from the start, the SEEGROUP has brought important added value. Before Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia were admitted to the Partnership for Peace, the SEEGROUP was their only institutional interface for regular discussions with the NATO Allies.
The SEEGROUP transparency and dedication on concrete projects and cooperation with the relevant regional initiatives, contribute to strengthening stability and security in the region and integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
SEEGROUP's interest in supporting regional co-operation and improving coordination between SEE countries is its primary role. Representatives of the Stability Pact of SEE have regularly attended the meetings, providing a vital link to the practical and project-oriented regional cooperation in the area of security and defense.
Pragmatism and flexibility have been one of the important SEEGROUP principles. This has been reflected in the group’s focus on concrete projects and initiatives, such as:
- SEESTUDY - a comparative study of the national defence strategies of the various regional countries;
- SEECHANGE - exchange of political-military and other early warning, conflict prevention and crisis management information;
- Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW);
- Border Security and Management;
- Support to the Defence Reforms;
- Civil Emergency Planing (CEP);
- Clearing House - exchange of information in the field of security;
- SEEPRO - to contribute, within its means and capabilities, to the fight against terrorism.
The latest initiative of the SEEGROUP is the project on enhancing the competencies of Urban Search and Rescue teams in South East European region. At present time, there are no classified light-medium-heavy Urban Search and Rescue teams in South East Europe. The aim of this project is to encourage South East European countries to develop, at first instance, light USAR teams, which would be self classified through a regional Search and Rescue exercise.
SEEGROUP meetings and overall cooperation continued to be fruitful in a climate of informality, excellent working spirit and flexible approach. NATO Allies and regional and non regional Partners, as well as Non-NATO/Non-PfP regional countries participating in the SEEGROUP strongly supported its works and provided a wide basis of cooperation.
SEEGROUP is currently composed of 32 members, representing 20 NATO countries and 12 Partner nations.
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