The objective of the study trip was to enable participants to meet representatives of key institutions shaping today’s security environment, gain first-hand insights into current defence and security policy developments, and engage in structured discussions on defence-related topics on European, national (Slovak) as well as global level. An additional aim was to strengthen the internal cohesion of the cohort and provide space for networking with alumni, supporting the long-term expert community-building dimension of the Academy.
Detailed Summary of Activities
The programme began with an hour-long briefing and Q&A session with Mr. Radim Dvořák, Deputy Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia. Mr. Dvořák provided a comprehensive overview of the Representation’s activities, with a strong emphasis on:
- current defence- and security-related developments in the EU,
- the rearmament trends across member states,
- EU instruments relevant for defence cooperation, including the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, and
- Slovakia’s involvement and strategic interests within these schemes.
Participants asked numerous questions related to institutional coordination, Slovakia’s position in ongoing initiatives, and the future trajectory of EU security and defence policy.
The discussion with Mr Dvořák was followed by lunch at the Flagship restaurant. This informal setting encouraged participants to continue discussing topics raised during the morning briefing and further strengthened peer relationships within the group.
The next stop was the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bratislava, where the group met with Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Wendt, German Defence Attaché to Slovakia. Lt. Col. Wendt delivered a complex, yet detailed presentation on:
- Germany’s Defence and Security Policy,
- Germany’s priorities and positions on key geopolitical and security issues,
- challenges and opportunities within German–Slovak defence cooperation,
- and his professional assessment of current defence measures at both the national and European level.
The scheduled 90-minute session organically extended to nearly two hours due to the exceptionally active discussion and the high engagement of both the students and Lt. Col. Wendt.
The final formal part of the programme took place at the University Library (in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung), where participants met Lieutenant-Colonel Roberto Moreno and Major Pedro Soriano, senior officers and representatives of the NATO Multinational Brigade Task Force Slovakia (MN BDE TF SVK). The speakers provided an in-depth explanation of:
- the structure, mission, and development of NATO’s enhanced presence in Slovakia (and the Eastern flank more broadly)
- operational routines and coordination among contributing nations, and
- the forward-looking perspective of the mission given ongoing security challenges stemming primarily from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The day concluded with a networking dinner (in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung) attended by the students and also by members of the Academy’s alumni community. This element of the programme aimed to cultivate personal as well as professional connections within the Security Academy network and provide students with opportunities for career insights and potential future collaboration. Conversations naturally built on the themes discussed during the study trip, and participants reported that the informal exchange significantly enhanced their overall experience of the study trip.
Report prepared by: Magdaléna Borková, Security Academy administrator/manager