On the 30th of September, 2022, after three years, Director of the NATO Counter Intelligence Centre of Excellence, COL Martin Achimovič handed over his duties to COL Mariusz Nogaj.
Colonel Achimovič underlined during the Change of Command ceremony the challenges he and the NATO CI COE had faced in the last three years and thanked all his staff members for their support, contributions, and friendship in the last years. He also stressed that he leaves the Centre in the best hands and that he expressed his best wishes to the incoming director for the future.
In his speech, Colonel Nogaj emphasized the challenges the NATO CI COE will face soon, especially in the new security reality in Europe. He also stressed the activity in supporting the process of NATO transformation. “This is a process starting today, and the results will be visible in 10 or 15 years. We are working closely with ACT in Norfolk on this, and I hope this cooperation will deepen shortly,” he said. The incoming director also thanked colonel Martin Achimovič for three years of being a leader, especially in such a difficult period marked by the pandemic. Despite the difficulties, many activities were carried out. An example of what could be the Centre has also been certified following the NATO Quality Assurance procedure requirements.
The Polish Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Defence, sent a special letter to the ceremony participants. “The NATO Counter Intelligence Centre of Excellence is an institution that enables cooperation in ensuring the joint security of the Alliance. Polish and Slovak soldiers cooperate here shoulder to shoulder according to the principle ‘Stronger together’. I am glad that this teamwork is developing and bringing outstanding results,” Mariusz Błaszczak wrote in it.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Polish and Slovak Ministries of National Defence, representatives of the diplomatic corps of sponsoring countries, commanders of NATO units, heads of intelligence and counterintelligence services, representatives of local government authorities, and uniformed services. The Military Band and the Polish Armed Forces Honour Guard assisted the ceremony.
