CROATIA JOINS SOUTHEAST EUROPE MILITARY BODY SEDM

CROATIA JOINS SOUTHEAST EUROPE MILITARY BODY SEDM ZAGREB, Oct 10 (Hina) - Croatia joined the Southeastern Europe Defence Ministers (SEDM) at this military body's meeting in Salonika, Greece, Defence Minister Jozo Rados said on Monday upon returning from an official trip to Greece and Macedonia. He said the trip to Macedonia represented a "regular bilateral exchange in the strengthening of better relations with neighbouring countries." "We (Croatia and Macedonia) signed agreements on military cooperation under which we shall form commissions and continue developing cooperation, especially in the field of military production," said the minister. SEDM is a military body established in Tirana, Albania, in 1996, in view of advancing cooperation among the armed forces of Balkan countries, and besides Croatia includes Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, and the United States. With the exception of the U.S., every SEDM member should participate with one battalion in peace-keeping forces which should be established next year under the name SEEBRIG. Rados said Croatia joined the political part of the process, which was important as Croatia was showing openness and will to contribute to peace and stability in the region. He added that for the time being, Croatia and neighbouring Slovenia would not directly participate in SEEBRIG, which should number some 3,000 land force soldiers. U.S. Defence Secretary William Cohen told the Salonika meeting there was evidence that Southeast Europe's military powers could represent a force in regional stability. SEEBRIG's first task would not be peace-keeping, but building a bridge and road in Albania in the first half of 2001. SEDM is next to convene in Turkey next year. (hina) ha