Defense Ministers of the SEE: Committed to the universal application of international law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions

At the meeting of the Southeast Europe Defense Ministerial (SEDM) Cooperation Process, held in Ankara at the ministerial or deputy ministerial level, a joint statement was adopted, emphasizing the universal application of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, the Helsinki Final Act, and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, Kosovo Online learns.

'We have reiterated our full commitment to the universal application of the principles of international law, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, which all SEDM member countries agree with, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions', the joint statement that we have seen reads.

Although there are member states within the initiative that both recognize and do not recognize Kosovo, the proposed amendment to the joint statement by Serbia was unanimously adopted, despite, as we understand, strong opposition from one Balkan country.

The joint statement also confirms strong support for the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

"We emphasized the importance of continuing the 'Female Leaders in Security and Defense' project (FLSD). We recognized the significance of this initiative for the development and diversification of human resources, as well as for further integrating women into national and international defense structures and the armed forces of member states. We welcomed Belgrade's decision to take on the role of the leading nation in the FLSD project for the next two years", this document states.

The Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Process (SEDM) was initiated at the proposal of the United States in 1996, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between Southeast European countries and the United States in the field of defense.

The member countries of the initiative are the United States, Serbia, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Georgia. Moldova was also admitted to membership at today's meeting. Kosovo is not a member of the Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Process.

The main goal of SEDM is to intensify understanding and political-military cooperation in Southeast Europe to enhance stability and security in the region.

The decision to admit Serbia to SEDM was made at the ministerial meeting held in October 2009 in Sofia.