Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral, the Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE), accompanied by his military assistant LtCol. Roger Specht, his aide de camp Capt. Michał Leszczyński and guided by Danish Captain Thomas Hesselholt, visited Denmark from 9th to 13th June 2008.
Commander’s visit to Denmark was a result of an invitation of the Government of Denmark, one of the three Framework Nations of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE). The first part of the courtesy travel led to Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, where the Defence Command and Ministry of Defence are located. In Copenhagen, the Chief of General Staff Vice Admiral Tim Sloth Jørgensen and the Minister of Defence Søren Gade received LtGen Goral with honours. Dialogues in a friendly atmosphere included topics such as the successful International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission of the Corps in Afghanistan as well as the next upcoming ISAF mission in 2010, possible future development of the Corps and support for the 10th anniversary of MNC NE in 2009. The Minister and the Chief of the General Staff underlined the importance of the Danish contribution to the MNC NE. They both assured the Commander that the Danish contingent in the MNC NE would remain the biggest one abroad excluding missions.
Then, the travel schedule included visiting the Combined Air Operations Centre 1 in Viborg, where the amalgamation of the current NATO Air Force Structure was discussed whereas at the Army Operational Command in Karup the main focus was put on the commitment of the Danish Forces in missions abroad.
In accordance with the last point of the itinerary, LtGen. Goral and his multinational delegation went to the Danish Division in Haderslev. The Commander of the Danish Division MajGen. Niels Bundsgaard briefed LtGen. Goral on latest developments, future structure and tasks of the Danish Division.
Although the importance of the visit cannot be directly measured, it definitely showed very good relations between the Corps and the Framework Nations proving positive attitude of both sides for common projects. Such approach can be treated as a valuable asset for future endeavours.
