12 Nov. 2007
On 12 November, Ambassadors of the South East Europe Security Cooperation Steering Group (SEEGROUP) endorsed a document in which South East Europe is recognized as a “contributor to security and stability”.
The document acknowledged the significant progress achieved in the region as a contribution to the expansion and consolidation of a zone of stability, democracy, human rights, rule of law and market economy in Europe.
The deployment of the South East European Brigade (SEEBRIG) in Afghanistan in 2006, comprising around 350 troops, is also seen as an important example of contribution to international security and stability.
The forum, which brings together NATO Member countries and 11 South East Europe and other Partner countries, was attended by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.
In his opening statement, the Secretary General said: “[SEEGROUP] has clearly established itself as a framework in which participating nations are able to share their experiences, help one another, and benefit from the advice and assistance of NATO countries. In short, the SEEGROUP has turned into a real success story.”
SEEGROUP was established in 2000 as an informal, open-ended group and focuses on a series of programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting regional cooperation and long-term stability in the Balkans.
