On 14th June SC 118 and NDC staff arrived in Poland, the second step of the FS III, and were warmly welcomed by Undersecretary General of State for Defense Policy who hosted and official dinner at the Conference Hall ‘Pulawska’.
On 15th June SC 118 visited the Polish National Defence Academy in Warsaw.
CMs and Staff were shortly briefed from the Commandant of the Academy, Maj. General RATAJCZAK about the educational activities.
The first speaker was retired Brig. Gen Stefan CZMUR , currently Senior Advisor of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who provided a detailed analysis of the pillars of the Polish foreign and security policy underlining the importance of defence capabilities, active participation in NATO operations and maintaining a relationship with the USA.
The second presentation, by Col. Jerzy LASKOWSKI, Chief of International Security Policy Department, Ministry of Defense, covered the Defence Policy of Poland and its future perspectives and challenges.
The two presentations were followed by a Q & A Session during which many interesting questions about different strategic issues were posed.
Four more briefings were delivered by different officers working in General Staff and in Operational Commands that focused on the structure of the Polish Armed Forces, their armaments programs, the developments of theirs capability and current Polish Armed Forces Commitment in operational theatres.
On 16 June SC 118 paid a visit to the National Defense Committee that is located in the building of the Parliament of the Republic of Poland.
The Chairman of the Polish Defence Commission, Honourable MP Dr Stanislaw Wziatek, explained how the professionalization of the Polish Armed Forces has improved in the recent years. He stressed the importance of the commitment of Poland to NATO operations, focusing mainly on Afghanistan, The briefing also covered the priorities of Poland during the coming Presidency of EU and it finished with a very lively Q & A session.
NDC Public Affairs Office
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN