Defense Ministers of all eastern and south-eastern European countries met up in Kyiv, Ukraine to discuss peace and stability in the region. I personally like this kind of practical cooperation between our countries, especially in the area of defense.

http://www.mil.gov.ua/images/event/2007-10-22-900-3997.jpg

http://www.mil.gov.ua/images/event/2007-10-22-900-3996.jpg

Macedonia was one of only 5 EE countries with ministers of which ukrainian side held direct one on one talks about further military assistance and cooperation ;)

http://www.mil.gov.ua/images/event/2007-10-22-900-3999.jpg

http://www.mil.gov.ua/images/event/2007-10-22-900-4005.jpg

The only disappointing moment was "US defence chief blasts European countries for not showing up in Afghanistan". It's not up to him to "blast" in this case.
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100746&Itemid=162

All other news that I have from this are in ukrainian, I could sum some of them up, but surely everyone can dig news about it in their own language.

Ukraine will modernize Bosnia and Herzegovina's helicopters and signed a 5 year contract on mutual cooperation in terms of reforms and training of professional troops

Meanwhile Ukraine will continue supplying and arming Macedonian armed forces. Their defense minister looks quite happy
http://www.mil.gov.ua/images/event/2007-10-21-896-3983.jpg
http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=10518

and more about it in ukrainian, don't know if macedonians can read this or not:

За словами глави вітчизняного оборонного відомства, одним з варіантів військово-технічного співробітництва є глибока модернізація БТР-60 і БТР-70 з використанням тих наробок, які є у нашого оборонно-промислового комплексу. А це додаткові робочі місця, завантаженість виробництва, що в кінцевому результаті вигідно Україні.

Крім того, як сказав Анатолій Гриценко, є ще такий напрямок співробітництва у військово-технічній сфері, як вдосконалення полігонної бази. Македонія вдосконалює свій полігон, який, до речі, є найбільшим на території колишньої Югославії. Так саме в Україні на Яворівському полігоні створюється Центр миротворчості і безпеки. Таким чином буде здійснюватися обопільна співпраця по будівництву і оснащенню цих полігонів сучасним обладнанням.

SE and EE countries are forming a joint peacekeeping armed contingent :cheers:

Georgian officers of all ranks will now study in ukrainian military institutions (georgian police officers already do train in Ukraine).

Session of SEE Defense Ministerial Council

http://www.president.gov.ua/done_img/b/7/7920.jpg

Ukraine’s President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Victor Yushchenko spoke at a session of the Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Council in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kyiv on Monday.

He said Ukraine “clearly and unequivocally declares its intention” to actively participate in all types of security operations and projects.

“We declare our readiness to join the Multinational Peacekeeping Force Agreement of the states of Southeastern Europe,” he said and added that Ukraine’s participation in this multinational brigade would help promote stability in Europe and in the region. Ukraine will continue to strengthen its status of a reliable partner in international peacekeeping operations and missions under the aegis of the UNO, NATO and the EU, he promised.

Yushchenko described the region’s frozen and unsettled conflicts, like those in Kosovo and in the former Soviet republics, as the biggest threat to its security and stability. “It is incumbent on us to help find the best possible, truly deliberate and systemic solutions to these conflicts,” he said. “We believe a future decision on Kosovo’s status must not trigger instability in the region.”

“The policy of peaceful settlement, the adherence to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity and the development of the dialogue of tolerance and coexistence are the main keys to settling frozen conflicts,” he said.

Yushchenko said the region must formulate its joint response to international security challenges and threats, especially those concerning the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. “Not only do we confirm our commitment to obligations by joining the Proliferation Security Initiative and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and by implementing the G8 Global Partnership Program but we also call on all our partners to build closer cooperation,” he said.

The president said the Council should discuss lots of important subjects today, like frozen conflicts, international anti-terrorist efforts, illegal arms trade and other security challenges.

“We believe our answer to these problems and challenges can only be joint. There is no alternative, to my mind. We can consolidate and strengthen the coordination of all national and regional efforts in this area,” he said.

Yushchenko stressed the “fundamental importance” of the principle of integrity of Europe’s security and said it should help create a “single model for systemic and responsible decisions.” “Ukraine confirms its strategic course towards European Union and NATO membership,” he said and added that the country’s democratic forces, which “follow the values of Ukraine’s integration into European structures,” had won last month’s snap parliamentary election. He called their victory “crucial.” “I am convinced this public mood will grow stronger. Every specific and obvious result in the actions of the government aimed at implementing the European course will contribute to it.”

The president urged Ukraine’s European partners to support its bid to join the NATO Membership Action Plan at next year’s NATO summit in Bucharest.

Ukraine’s contribution to European and international security will be active, large-scale and consistent, he said.
http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/data/1_20022.html

Which countries participated in this event? Would that include all former U.S.S.R., Warsaw Pact, and Yugoslavian nations plus Greece?

-Ataman

Not all from USSR, only Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Lithuania I believe. The asian ex-USSR were not invited. I'm not sure about Belarus. It also included Italy for some reason, and all that you mentioned. Though apparently a lot about it is kept secretive.

Anyway, it was quite a meeting, I don't know if all these military agencies ever met before together.

Macedonia was one of only 5 EE countries with ministers of which ukrainian side held direct one on one talks about further military assistance and cooperation ;)


Meanwhile Ukraine will continue supplying and arming Macedonian armed forces. Their defense minister looks quite happy


I'm not Macedonian but i'm really glad to hear that:yes: :cheers: :cheers:

On a side note, GUAM shall soon overtake the Balkans! This meeting was just a spoof to collect secret military data from unsuspecting foreign buffoons!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/mmiliard/mr_burns.gif

Take over the Balkans??!?!

"So, how far is this Kiev place?" ;)

http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/fotogalerija/dogadjaji/0610_otvoren_dan_garda/images/0610_otvoren_dan_6.jpg

Meanwhile Ukraine will continue supplying and arming Macedonian armed forces. Their defense minister looks quite happy
http://www.mil.gov.ua/images/event/2007-10-21-896-3983.jpg
http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=news&sub=read&id=10518

and more about it in ukrainian, don't know if macedonians can read this or not:

За словами глави вітчизняного оборонного відомства, одним з варіантів військово-технічного співробітництва є глибока модернізація БТР-60 і БТР-70 з використанням тих наробок, які є у нашого оборонно-промислового комплексу. А це додаткові робочі місця, завантаженість виробництва, що в кінцевому результаті вигідно Україні.

Крім того, як сказав Анатолій Гриценко, є ще такий напрямок співробітництва у військово-технічній сфері, як вдосконалення полігонної бази. Македонія вдосконалює свій полігон, який, до речі, є найбільшим на території колишньої Югославії. Так саме в Україні на Яворівському полігоні створюється Центр миротворчості і безпеки. Таким чином буде здійснюватися обопільна співпраця по будівництву і оснащенню цих полігонів сучасним обладнанням.

You're right, he does look happy:tongue2: i can understand some of that:)

Ukraine is so helpful:) thanks for posting the news, it's good to see the Ukrainian government helping out the with the military:cheers1: it seems you guys have a lot to give out:D

It's great that Ukraine has made this initiative to tie these countries together and talk for a common goal:)