On 12th of March, Commandant of the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) Major General Andis Dilāns represented the College in a reception on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Republic of Poland to NATO jointly hosted by the Ambassadors of the respective countries H.E. Mrs Gabriela Tománková, H.E. Mr Grzegorz Kozłowski and H.E. Mr Kristóf Forrai on the premises of the Polish Embassy in Tallinn. The event was conducted with the attendance of Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia H.E. Mr Jüri Luik, Ambassadors, Defence Attaches and invited guests. In their opening speeches, the Minister and the Ambassadors highlighted the importance of NATO as security organisation and the significance of mutual cooperation and support within security domain.

During the reception, Minister of Defence Mr Jüri Luik was awarded with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland granted by President of Poland as of his personal commitment to developing allied relations, bilaterally and within NATO and European Union. The special relations with hosting nations were highlighted presenting their importance and benefits of common security perception.

  
Photos by Ms Helen Melesk, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tallinn

MG Dilāns awarded LTG (ret) Andrzej Falkowski, former Poland’s Military Representative to NATO and EU Military Committees, with the Baltic Defence College Medal of Merit Gold for his selfless and immeasurable contribution to the education process in BALTDEFCOL. LTG (ret) Falkowski has delivered expressive and excellent lectures to all courses of the College and contributed to the academic activities, especially to the Conference on Russia. His immense dedication and willingness has allowed both, military and civilian students to better understand current defence developments and comprehend the complexity of contemporary security.