The authorities of Westpomerania as well as the representatives of the uniformed services visited the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast on November 7th, 2008 to get acquainted with the Corps-related issues and to exchange views on current developments in the region.
The personages that visited the Headquarters were among others Mr Marcin Zydorowicz, the Westpomeranian Voivode, Mr Piotr Krzystek, Szczecin Mayor, Mr Michał Łuczak, the Chairman of the Voivodeship Parliament and Mr Jan Krawczuk, the Vice Marshall of Westpomerania.
The uniformed services were represented by Colonel Jan Pytka, the City Commandant of the Police in Szczecin, Major Jacek Staśkiewicz, the City Commandant of the Fire Brigade in Szczecin, Lieutenant Colonel Henryk Cegiełka, the Voivodeship Commandant of the Fire Brigade in Szczecin, Mr Leon Gajewski, the Commandant of the Municipal Police in Szczecin, Lieutenant Colonel Lidia Mołodecka, the Director of the Custom Office in Szczecin and Colonel Tomasz Grzybowski, Vice Commandant of the Pomeranian Border Guard.
The guests were warmly welcomed by Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral, Commander MNC NE. After signing the Guest Book, which would be a keepsake of this visit, the personages listened to the briefing delivered by Colonel Jerzy Fela, Polish Senior National Officer. The visitors could learn about the Corps’ history, mission and future developments. Subsequent topics referred to Szafran, the Corps’ Command and Control Information System and the preparations of the 10th Anniversary of the Corps’ functioning in Szczecin. It was especially important for the City authorities since Szczecin will the Corps’ partner in the celebrations planned for September 2009 – "We want to treat it not only as the celebration of the Corps but also as the celebration of the City. I think it will be a very good opportunity to show the Corps to the citizens of Szczecin and, at the same time, to emphasize its multinational character", said Mr Piotr Krzystek, the City Mayor.
All briefings were followed by lively discussions about the historical aspects of the Corps’ developments as well as some future challenges, including the mission in Afghanistan, for which the Corps’ personnel are going to be sent in 2010. How important and informative was the meeting best summarizes Mr Michał Łuczak –"'I am not here for the first time but it is the first time I was given the opportunity to see what the soldiers actually do here. I have a better understanding of what the Corps’ activities are. Therefore, the visit turned out to be very valuable to me. I think this will enhance our cooperation".
