As of 1 July 2021, Bulgaria will become the rotating chair of the South East Europe Defence Ministerial (SEDM) process. In preparation for the adoption of the mandate, representatives of the current President of the Republic of Albania are visiting Sofia until 18 June.
Talks are focused on deepening security and defence co-operation, as well as on difficulties in holding regular meetings due to the pandemic.
The organization of the ceremony for handing over and accepting the presidency is also specified. It will be held on 27 August 2021 in the town of Kumanovo, Republic of North Macedonia, where the Headquarters of the Southeast Europe Multinational Brigade are located.
SEDM member states include the U.S., Greece, Italy, Turkey, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, while Georgia and Moldova have the status of observer countries.