Despite of Covid-19 crisis the 21st NATO EOD COE Steering Committee Meeting was held in Trenčin, Slovakia from 13 to 15 October 2020 and hosted by EOD COE Director Colonel Robert Csaszar (SVK-A).
Colonel Roland Bartakovics, MSS (SVK-A) chaired the meeting, which focused on the COE´s Programme of Work 2021, budget 2021, MTFP 2022 – 2026, EOD COE FAPs update and other issues related to the EOD COE tasks and responsibilities.
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions the representatives of some Sponsoring Nations could not attend the meeting personally, so they were connected via video conferencing.
Meeting was supported by the SACT FOGO BG Ilmars A. Lejins, who addressed the SC members on the first day of the meeting via VTC . He encouraged the COE members to actively participate in the NATO development and adaptation process. He highlighted the need of involvement in the new NATO Military Strategy, NATO Warfighting Capstone Concept, Global Programming and new technologies application.
Even though the SC meeting was conducted for the first time partially via teleconference bridge, the participants worked in a collaborative spirit, constructive discussion and provided valuable outputs.
The next SC Meeting is planned in April 2021 in Romania.
Text : LTC Peter KOŠKA, SVK-A
Photo: civ Denisa ŽÁKOVÁ