Commitment to Regional Defence

“Confidence is not merely a principle, it is also a practice, a value which we build, strengthen and continuously prove through our actions” – emphasized General Dr. Gábor Böröndi, Chief of HDF Defence Staff in his opening address at the conference. “Today’s aim is to create the conditions for a secure future – a future in which we take no results for granted. We are committed to preserve and defend all that we have built so far” – emphasized the general in connection with the meeting.

“The fragility of the situation and stability of the region requires a complex approach of our cooperation” – said General Luciano Portolano. The Chief of the Defence Staff of Italy, the lead nation of DECI recalled that our cooperation has a solid basis and strategic significance. “I’m convinced that this formation has considerable potential, which is more important than ever these days” – said General Luciano Portolano in conclusion.

During the plenary sessions, the chiefs of defence discussed, among other topics, current issues in the regional security situation, with special regard to the significance of the stability of the Western Balkans. The EUFOR, KFOR and the Naples-headquartered NATO Allied Joint Force Command Naples (JFC Naples) assume an important role in preserving this stability, so their commanders also attended the dialogue.

In the field of military cooperation, the participants paid special attention to the scope of activities of the Multinational Land Force (MLF), the activity of the NATO Centres of Excellence, as well as the inherent risks and potentials of cyberspace. Finally, they discussed DECI’s role in international organizations, mainly in NATO and the EU.

With the accession of North Macedonia in 2023, the DECI cooperation brings together eight nations. The founding nations, namely Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and Slovenia were joined by Albania in 2016 and then Montenegro in 2017.