Ukraine joined the Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial (SEDM) on 6 December, URA-Inform reported, citing the Ukrainian Defense Ministry press office. Ukraine was admitted to the organization at SEDM’s 10th annual conference, held this year on 5-6 December in Washington. SEDM began in 1996 as a regional initiative to serve as a bridge to Euro-Atlantic institutions, particularly NATO. Its stated objectives are to promote peace and stability in the region, enhance cooperation and regional security and support NATO Partnership for Peace programs. Other SEDM members include Italy, Greece, Turkey, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Slovenia and Croatia. (en.ura-inform.com, December 7; www.southeasteurope.org)