03.06.2026.
Participation in Balkan Countries’ CHODs Conference
The Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, took part today in the 19th Balkan Countries’ Chiefs of Defense (CHODs) Conference held in Thessaloniki.
The main focus of this year’s conference was the challenges and innovations in the protection of civilians in modern warfare. Top defence leaders from Balkan countries also exchanged views on a range of other issues relevant to regional security.Speaking about the challenges of protecting civilians in modern warfare, which is characterized by operations in both urban environment and the digital domain, along with the growing use of unmanned systems, autonomous platforms, and artificial intelligence, General Mojsilović noted that the line between military and civilian space is becoming increasingly less clear, while the impact on civilian population is becoming ever more serious.
He noted that, in modern times, armed forces will be judged not only by their technological capabilities and firepower, but also by their ability to maintain full control over the use of force and to protect civilians in complex circumstances. He also called on countries in the region to exchange experiences in the areas of civilian infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, crisis management, and the use of new technologies.In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, open dialogue, and regular high-level contact in maintaining peace and security amid new security challenges that affect the region. He also extended an invitation to his counterparts to attend the 20th Balkan Countries’ CHODs Conference, which will be held in Belgrade next year.
During his visit to Thessaloniki, General Mojsilović had separate bilateral meetings with General Dimitrios Choupis, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, and General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Chief of Defence of the Turkish Armed Forces. During the meetings, he emphasized that the Serbian Armed Forces remain open to constructive cooperation in all areas of shared interest.
The Balkan Countries’ CHODs Conference is a regional initiative aimed at strengthening military-to-military cooperation between countries in the Balkans and finding ways to address challenges, risks and threats across the region. It brings together the heads of the armed forces of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Türkiye.