Believing that cooperation and dialog among the countries of South-Eastern Europe must be further developed and considering their commitment to contribute to regional security and stability, and to foster good neighborly relations, among the countries, an Agreement on Multinational Peace Force South-Eastern Europe (MPFSEE) was signed by the Ministers of Defense of the seven participating countries in Skopje on 26 September 1998.

The current structure of the MPFSEE is a brigade-sized force of about 5000 troops and is known as South-Eastern Brigade (SEEBRIG).

In accordance of the provisions of the Agreement:

The Brigade will be declared to UN and to OSCE. It will be available, commensurate with its capabilities, for employment in conflict prevention and in other peace support operations, including peace-keeping, peace-making, peace-building and humanitarian operations.

The Force will be available for possible employment in UN or OSCE-mandated NATO-led or WEU-led conflict prevention and other peace support operations. It could also participate in “coalition of the willing” type international initiatives. The Force will also function “within the spirit” of PfP.

The decision for participation in operations and deployments, which is initially to be proposed by the Politico-Military Steering Committee (PMSC), will be subject to political and military consultation as detailed in Article IV and will be approved by the Parties through their respective national legal procedures.

After the joint case-by-case political decision is made for participation in operations and for the deployment of the Force, by the Parties, they must make their contributions available for the Force within the time frame proposedby the relevant authorities and decided by the PMSC.Participation in a particular force “package” for a specific operation is a purely national preference.

 

The Politico-Military Steering Committee (PMSC) is established as the joint executive body of the MPFSEE in order to oversight and to provide policy guidance for deployment, employment and other activities.
For the PMSC, each country nominates a delegation, headed by a senior representative, who may be advised by area experts.
The Chairmanship of the PMSC is rotating every two years among the Participating Countries. So far PMSC Chairmanship rotation was as follows:

* 1999 - 2001 in Na-3
* 2001 - 2003 in Na-6
* 2003 - 2005 in Na-7
* 2005 - 2007 in Na-1
* 2007 – 2009 in Na-5

The PMSC determines its own organization and internal rules while abiding by the following general principles:

a. Regular meetings and at such intervals as necessary to carry out its responsibilities and as soon as possible to response to a specific request by any Country or an invitation by the Chairman.

b. Regular meetings take place twice a year, spring and fall, and are hosted by the Country holding the Chairmanship. This Country also takes over the responsibility for secretariat.

c. All decisions are taken by consensus among participants.

d. PMSC develops policies and guidance for Ministerial approval regarding following MPFSEE functioning areas:

* Annual plan (exercises and training)
* Co-ordination of national indications of troop contributions
* Proposals concerning possible deployments
* Employment policy and guidelines for the use of force and Rules Of Engagement (ROEs)
* Logistic support, movement and transport requirements and capacities
* Common budget
* Restructuring force and command/control organisation
* Relations with similar formations, within the framework of UN, NATO, OSCE and EU
* Public information policy