The Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Spain visits the Centre of Excellence Against Improvised Explosive Devices.

• Libor Sečka has had the opportunity to learn details of its operation and the work performed by the Czech staff assigned there.

The Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Spain, Libor Sečka, accompanied by the second Head of the Embassy, has visited the Center of Excellence Against Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED COE), where he was received by its Director, Colonel Javier Corbacho Margallo, and by representatives of the twelve nations that are part of the Center.

During the visit, the ambassador received explanations from the Director on the activities being carried out and the positioning as a NATO reference center in the fight against C-IED. The Czech diplomat showed his interest in the evolution of the C-IED fight related to the latest world events and the degree of satisfaction with the Czech personnel assigned to the Center, whose work he was able to learn first-hand.

After the presentation, the Ambassador visited the facilities and praised the work of the Center's staff. Before leaving, he signed the Book of Honor.  

The Czech Republic was the ninth nation in 2013 to join the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the C-IED COE in Hoyo de Manzanares and its functional relationship with the Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT). Since then, the Czech Republic has had an officer permanently assigned at the Center whose duties are part of the Network Attack Group, Prevention Section.

 CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AGAINST IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

The Center of Excellence against Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED CoE) is one of the 29 NATO Accredited Centers of Excellence, and is located in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid. It has an international staff composed of military personnel of twelve nationalities, including members of the Armed Forces who serve both in the international staff of experts and in its support and administration element.

Its mission is to provide expert support to NATO, NATO partners and the International Community in the fight against the IED System in order to increase the security of deployed troops by reducing or eliminating the IED threat, especially from terrorist and insurgent networks and from any type of emerging threat resulting from rapidly changing global scenarios.

The C-IED CoE was offered by Spain to NATO as part of its network of Centers of Excellence and accredited for the first time by the Alliance in November 2010. In April 2023, it underwent a new accreditation process, with an "extremely satisfactory" result for the interests of the Alliance.