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: photoreport 11NATO MilitaryCommittee ConferenceNATO Military CommitteeConferenceThe conference hall in the Grand HotelBellevue was the main meeting point forall delegates – an area where the core ofthe conference took place. Set up inNATO secret style, its austere beautytook away the breath of even those whohad seen it decorated in this way countlesstimes before. Functional elements,NATO country seat designations andflags, and the NATO banner with thevenue logo combined to reflect theevent’s dignified and timeless values.Recognition for excellent workin picturesDefence Minister Ľubomír Galko and Chief of the Defence Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces GeneralĽubomír Bulík recognised the dedicated work of the Head of the MCC Working Group LieutenantGeneral Peter Gajdoš (currently serving as MILREP at NATO HQ), his Deputy and Project ManagerColonel Josef Pokorný, heads of working groups, as well as all members of the Slovak ArmedForces and the Slovak Defence Ministry involved in preparing and organizing the event.Press briefing“It is great that NATO has come together to discuss such important issuesas ISAF in Afghanistan, the Alliance’s New Strategic Concept, andthe streamlining of the NATO military command structure. Indeed, theseissues deserve the consideration of all NATO members. Allies are awarethat global security is facing the challenges of the 21st century. Wemust, therefore, prepare the Alliance for them. The threats we are facingtoday are completely different from those of the 20th century,” saidAdmiral Giampaolo Di Paola, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee,during a press conference in Starý Smokovec on 18 September 2010.Spiš CastleTree-plantingCeremony“I, too, planted a tree!”said every Chief of Defenceon the Sundaymorning of 19 September.As part of the 5 Ts,each CHOD planted anarolla pine tree, thushelping to create “asmall NATO forest” nextto the Grand HotelBellevue. This new forestwill remind us notonly of the NATO MilitaryCommittee Conferencein Slovakia butalso of the effort tohelp restore the Tatras,which were destroyedin a terrible windstormin 2004. Described as ademonstration of commitmentto a better environment,the plantingof the trees was viewedpositively by the Chiefsof Defence.While on Friday the Chiefs of Defence addressedthe transformation of the Alliance, their spousestook a memorable tour of Spiš Castle. On Saturdaythey visited the Solar Observatory at Skalnaté Plesoand rode a cable car to the Lomnický štít [LomnitzPeak]. The weather worked in their favour, and theywere delighted with the breathtaking views of thevalleys of the High Tatras and the Spiš region.SLOVAK ARMED FORCES 201010Welcoming ceremonyThe MCC began with welcoming speeches by the Slovak CHOD,General Bulík, and the Mayor of High Tatras Town, Mr. Ján Mokoš.Due to the rainy weather, organizers moved the welcoming ceremonyinside the Grand Hotel Bellevue’s dining hall. In addition toexchanging warm handshakes, the Chiefs of Defence weregreeted by the sound of the “trombitas” and the cracking of whips./ Double-page spread Michaela FARKAŠOVÁ/ Photo Peter DOVINA, Capt. Richard HLAVŇA, Capt. Peter MICHNICA, Capt. Mário PAŽICKÝRaftingThe canyon of the river Dunajec is foggy and coldin September, and the water tends to be high andviolent in the Pieniny National Park. Nevertheless,we decided to prepare an adventure for MCCguests and take them for a ride on wooden raftsdown the river Dunajec. Chairman of the MilitaryCommittee Admiral Di Paola got on well with alocal raftsman…