About Us

Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) was established in 2010. It brings together Ministries of Defence from six member states (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia) and one observer state (Poland).

Today, CEDC represents a security and defence platform for the participants in order to discuss, develop and promote common interests. The principle goal of the CEDC is to contribute to the strengthening of regional security within the framework of EU and NATO PfP by promoting specific regional interests of the Participants. In particular, the cooperation focuses on coordinating EU policies, tackling common regional challenges and threats, initiating projects among armed forces and capacity-building. Being aware that regional security is intrinsically connected with the security of neighbouring regions, a cooperation with Western Balkan partners has also been established.

In the aftermath of the migration crisis in Europe during 2015/2016, military projects remained a field of interest for CEDC, but its focus was also broadened to civil-military cooperation, as signalled by its most important projects.

The initiative’s work is coordinated by the presiding country. Each presidency lasts one calendar year, and it consists of meetings of Defence Ministers, Defence Policy Directors and other operational level meetings. In the past, military projects in the fields including Special Operations Forces, Counter Improvised Explosive Devices, Medical Support, Pilot training and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radioactive and Nuclear) defence have been realised.

 PRESIDENCY ROTATIONS PLAN

2020: Slovenia

2021: Croatia

2022: Austria

2023: Czech Republic

2024: Hungary

2025: Slovakia