European Military Press Associations Congress 2014

More than 30 military journalists, editors and PR officers attended the annual European Military Press Association (EMPA) Congress 2014 on 23-27 September at the Baltic Defence College.

The EMPA Congress 2014 was officially opened by the Baltic Defence College Commandant MG Vitalijus Vaikšnoras on 23 September. In his welcome speech he emphasised the importance of multinational collaboration, pooling and sharing intellectual capabilities.

At the Baltic Defence College the military journalists from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Croatia, Austria, Norway, Hungary and Poland were briefed about BALTDEFCOL activities, structure and courses by the Deputy Commandant, COL Axel Pfaffenroth. The guests were introduced to the regional importance of the BALTDEFCOL and its relevance from the perspective of international defence education.

The Congress provided a perfect possibility for journalists to interview and write articles about the Baltic Defence College and Estonian Defence Forces.  In addition to the visit to the Baltic Defence College, EMPA Congress participants visited Ämari Airbase, Scout Battalion and NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn.

EMPA has more than 100 members in 21 European countries. In 1977, chief editors, and directors of important national and international military newspapers and periodicals from several European nations met for a first exchange of ideas. The first statutes of the EMPA were passed at a meeting in Hamburg in 1980.