From 2 to 4 September 2026, Slovenia hosted the first meeting of Chiefs of Defence and senior military representatives within the Central European Defence Cooperation (CEDC) framework, bringing together representatives from Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia, with Poland participating as an observer.
Hosted by the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces, Major General Boštjan Močnik, the meeting marked an important milestone in strengthening the military dimension of CEDC cooperation and provided a platform for the exchange of views, experience and good practices among the participating armed forces. Od politike do prakse
The discussions focused primarily on two areas of common interest: military mobility and recruitment and retention of military personnel.
In the field of military mobility, participants addressed the importance of efficient cross-border movement, adequate transport infrastructure, streamlined administrative procedures and effective host nation support. The discussions highlighted that military mobility requires a comprehensive approach involving both military and civilian capabilities. Od politike do prakse
The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange national experiences and approaches to attracting and retaining younger generations in the armed forces and to discuss ways of building sustainable and resilient personnel models. Participants additionally visited the Training Centre in Vipava, where they were introduced to basic military training activities. Od politike do prakse
The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Valentin Hajdinjak, addressed the participants and underlined the importance of translating political commitments into concrete action, stronger capabilities, improved interoperability and effective regional cooperation – reflecting the priorities of the Slovenian CEDC Presidency and its motto:
“From Policy to Practice – Building a Stronger Central Europe.” Od politike do prakse
The first CEDC Chiefs of Defence meeting represents an important step towards deepening military-to-military cooperation within CEDC, complementing the existing political and defence-policy dialogue and contributing to stronger regional interoperability and preparedness.
