The South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP)

04 July 2025 Events and Discussions

The South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) is a key political format aimed at building trust, fostering cooperation, and promoting good neighborly relations among the participants of South-East Europe (SEE). Over the course of its existence, it has evolved into the main regional platform for dialogue in the area. The Republic of Bulgaria is the initiator of the SEECP. The initiative was launched at the Sofia Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the SEE participants, held on 6–7 July 1996. During this meeting, the Sofia Declaration on Good Neighborly Relations, Stability, Security, and Cooperation in the Balkans was adopted.

On 1 July 2025, the Republic of Bulgaria assumed the Chairmanship-in-Office of the SEECP for the fourth time, in accordance with the SEECP Charter, which provides for a one-year rotating chairmanship. The current Bulgarian Chairmanship will conclude on 30 June 2026, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Process’s establishment. Throughout this period, Sofia will continue to emphasize the shared values and common goals of the region. Efforts will focus on promoting inclusive cooperation, aligned with the principles and values of the European Union and adapted to the challenges of our time.

Under the motto “A Compass for Stability, Security, and Resilience” and guided by the vision of a more connected, green, secure, and prosperous region, the Chairmanship will focus on the following key priorities:

European integration of the SEECP participants
Competitiveness and human capital
Regional connectivity, energy sustainability, and sustainable economic growth
Strengthening resilience and countering hybrid threats

Further information about the South-East European Cooperation Process, including its initiatives and current developments, is available here (https://www.seecp.info/about-seecp)

The second meeting of the Political Directors of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) took place under the Sofia Chairmanship-in-Office

On 27 November 2025, the second meeting of the Political Directors of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) was held under Sofia Chairmanship-in-Office (C-i-O).

28 November 2025

Conference of Ministers of Transport of the SEECP Participants

The Conference of Ministers of Transport of the SEECP Participants took place on 15 - 16 October 2025 in Sofia under the auspices of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications, H.E. Mr. Grozdan Karadjov. The topic was „Developing Transport Connectivity in the SEECP Region“.

17 October 2025

15th Meeting of the Heads of National Security Authorities (SEENSA), convened in Varna under the Sofia Chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP)

From 6 to 9 October 2025, the 15th Meeting of the Heads of National Security Authorities (SEENSA) was convened in the city of Varna, Bulgaria, under the auspices of the Sofia Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP).

10 October 2025

Deputy Minister Nikolay Pavlov Participates in the Opening of the National Statistical Institute Conference, on "EU Enlargement: The role of Comparable and Reliable Official Statistics"

The Conference, held from 11 to 12 September 2025, in Burgas, took place within the framework of the Sofia Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). It brought together the heads of the national statistical institutes of EU candidates and potential candidates, as well as the presidents of the national statistical institutes of EU member states from the South-East European region. The event was co-organized by the NSI and its President Mr. Atanas Atanasov, together with Eurostat, represented by the Director General, Ms. Mariana Kotseva.

12 September 2025

Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) has officially started

The Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office (C-i-O) of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) officially began on 17 July 2025 with a meeting of the SEECP Political Directors (Committee of Political Directors). The meeting took place at the Boyana Residence, where Mr. Momchil Raychevski, Director of the “Southeast Europe” Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presented the priorities and programme of the Bulgarian C-i-O.

17 July 2025