First Deputy Minister of Defence attends SEDM

The First Deputy Minister of Defence of Georgia, Paata Patiashvili, participated in the South-East Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM), held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the proceedings, the First Deputy Minister underscored the significance of SEDM, highlighting Georgia’s successful engagement in the organisation’s projects and initiatives.

The joint statement reaffirmed support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, explicitly condemning the ongoing occupation of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region by the Russian Federation.

In addition to the plenary sessions, the First Deputy Minister held bilateral meetings with Deputy Defence Ministers from Türkiye, Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Albania. According to the Georgian Ministry of Defence, these discussions focused on current cooperation and future opportunities to enhance defence capabilities among the participating nations.

The primary aim of the Defence Ministerial is to strengthen regional cooperation, promote security and stability, and facilitate the integration of the region’s countries into Euro-Atlantic structures. The annual Defence Ministerial gathering serves as a vital platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration.

Founded in September 1996 in Tirana, Albania, the South-East Europe Defence Ministerial brings together sixteen nations: Georgia, the United States, Italy, Türkiye, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, Slovenia, Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.