Multinational Corps Northeast

Monika Warkocz: At first once again I would like to welcome you and your Slovak's colleges in HQ and I hope that you enjoy the time here. One of the mayor aim of your visit in MNC NE was to take part in the training programme called Cool Gasket 2005. Could you tell us about your impressions from the exercise? 


Peter Kovacs: It was a completely new experience for me. In Slovakia we do not have core element units, only just brigades so it was a first time I could be a part of the exercises in which there were division level and I the multinational level. Furthermore, the multinationality is something that we need to learn. It was fantastic for me to so how can different nations operate on the battlefield together. It was extremely valuable for me to be here in HQ and had a chance to talk with officers from various divisions and took part in the multinational activity. Moreover, the stone rolling was very interesting for me. It was an interesting form of presenting units and troops movements. 


MW: During your visit you have also the possibility to meet the Command Group of MNC NE? 


Peter Kovacs: Yes, that's true it was very fine meeting. I was very much pleased to hear from the Command Group that my country, Slovakia presents itself as a good and reliable partner for MNC NE. Especially, that the Slovak officers will join MNC NE staff in July. In that point I can only express a true hope for the further military successful cooperation. 


MW: You will be probably posted here in the HQ during this year. So what was your first impression about the HQ? 


Peter Kovacs: Really Great! People are working here in a very friendly way and they try to help each other as much as it possible. They know how to work in the international environment, so even the language problems are not the obstacle to find the way to communicate with each other. Furthermore, I could talk Slovak East dialect with Polish officers and be understood. Because for the time being, my English is still improving. 


MW: What about likes and dislikes? 


Peter Kovacs: As I said previously everything was great. However it was quite a surprise for us to have for early lunch potatoes with peace of meet every day. It's quite a new experience. So maybe, I only missed some food diversity in the kitchen. When I'll be back home and my wife will serve dinner with potatoes I'll divorce :o))) 


MW: What about Szczecin? Do you like the city? Would like to come here once again with your family? 


Peter Kovacs: Definitely yes. Szczecin is very nice historical town, with modern city centre. However I missed the passage, the wide street without the cars with pubs and restaurants. The passage Boguslawa Street was definitely to short :o)) I think this city looks differently during the spring and summer - I hope that I could experience that. 


MW: Thank you very much for your time. I wish you all the best and I am looking forward to seeing you and your colleges in HQ in July. 


Peter Kovacs: Thank you very much. Yes, see you soon.