Representatives of the Framework Nations and Participating States of the Multinational Corps Northeast met for the 44th Corps Committee Meeting and 7th Plenary held in Baltic Barracks, Szczecin, on 22 November 2011.
At the eve of major changes to the structure of Multinational Corps Northeast as well as new role and tasks mostly likely to be imposed on the Corps in relation to an ongoing reform of the NATO Command Structure, the Corps Committee Meeting assumed an extraordinary form. First of all, one-day session instead of regular two days resulted in a more intensive, albeit very productive, pace of work. Secondly, it was combined with the manning conference of the Framework Nations conducted on the day prior to the Plenary Session. During that conference, representatives of Denmark, Germany and Poland agreed on the common way ahead concerning manning respective positions within the new Corps’ structure. They also identified a number of attractive positions, working out a solid basis for further discussions on manning with the Participating States whose representatives will participate in another round of the manning conference beginning 2012.
This session of the Corps Committee was chaired by a German Colonel Dr. M. Tegtmeier, supported by his Secretary Lieutenant Colonel T. Fries. A Pole Colonel D. Parylak and a Dane Colonel P.O. Knudsen acted as Co-Chairmen. The results of the Corps Committee prove that the Corps’ structure review is well on track. The overall willingness to engage MNC NE more and more in various exercises has also gained support from the Corps Committee members. Moreover, the Framework Nations recognize an increased interest to affiliate troops to MNC NE as a proof of the Corps stable position within the NATO family.
In his closing remarks, the MNC NE Commander Lieutenant General Rainer Korff expressed his appreciation for Corps Committee support allowing to shape the future of the Corps capable of completing any tasks assigned.
The last meeting of the Framework Nations representatives this year also closes German chairmanship in the Corps Committee. The German Chairman Colonel Dr. Tegtmeier thanked the Co-Chairmen Colonel Parylak and Colonel Knudsen, and symbolically handed over the chairmanship to Denmark which will chair all Corps Committee Meetings next year. Special appreciation letters were also awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Volker Quante and Lieutenant Colonel Sten Allik from HQ MNC NE for their contribution in organizing and coordinating all Corps Committee related issues.
