The first event in the timeframe of Ankara’s Presidency of Balkan Countries CHOD's Forum - 1st Coordination Group (CG) Meeting was held in Turkish General Staff in Ankara from 17th to 19th December, 2024.
The aim of the meeting was to define and adopt Task Lists for CG, Education, Training and Exercise Sub-Working Group (ETESWG) and Asymmetric Threats Sub-Working Group (ATSWG) and to reach agreement on the Working Calendar for preparation of the 18th Conference on Military Cooperation, scheduled to take place in Istanbul between 27th-29th May 2025.
The main emphasis of the discussions during the meeting was the action items deriving from the Balkan CHODs’ Joint Statement from the 17th Conference on Military Cooperation, held in Durres in June, 2024 under Tirana Presidency.
A separate session was dedicated to the reports of the Sub-Working Groups’ Chairs, who presented the respective main priorities for the work during Ankara Presidency.
Important information regarding the schedule of annual Joint Common Exercises was provided by Skopje representative.
As Joint Common Exercise Ankara will be hosting Exercise “Europian Peace 2025” from 5th to 12th May, 2025 and the Main Planning Conference for the exercise was held between 16th – 20th December 2024 with participation of representatives of Athens, Bucharest, Sofia, Skopje and Tirana. Also, it has been extended to answer for participation to Europian Peace 2025 until 15th January 2025.
Additionaly Ankara will organise Law of Armed Conflict Course between10th-14th February 2025 and Special Operation Forces Training between 7th-11th April 2025.
The Meeting was held in a friendly and constructive manner and provided a solid basis for successful achievement of the Coordination Group’s objectives.
2nd Meeting of the Coordination Group will be held in Ankara from 26th to 28th February 2025.