Annual exposition of the Partnership Training and Education Centers (PTEC) "Marketplace 2015" was organized in NATO HQ in Brussels on 19 - 22 October 2015. PTECs presented their institutions and demonstrated common cooperation. Initially the project was launched in 1999 under the Partnership for Peace program to develop training and education activities among Euro-Atlantic partners.

    The increasing importance of the activity was highlighted during the opening ceremony by NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Dirk Brengelmann and NATO School Commandant Colonel Mark Baines.

    A great number of participants were presented on this event. 17 of 29 PTECs that currently make up the network of the centers and provide education and training within NATO, presented their institutes, the achievements and courses to delegations from NATO HQ. The following countries were representing their activities at the Marketplace this year: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYROM, Germany, Greece, Egypt, Finland, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Romania, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and USA.

    The members of the International Staff Officers’ Course (ISOC), which is an integral part of the Lifelong Education Center of the Armed Forces Academy (AFA), traditionally participated during this event. Slovakia and AFA as a recognized PTC was represented by Capt René HEČKO and MSgt Rastislav HELDÁK. They introduced a training system of military personnel and the possibility of further enhancing their career skills throughout different courses. The emphasis was put on education in ISOC, in which the aim is to prepare not only Slovak but also foreign staff officers for working in multinational environment in the area of planning and conducting of military operations according to NATO standards.

    During the event all PTCs expositions were visited by delegations of countries presented in NATO HQ. Expositions were visited also by Military Steering Committee and Heads of the Permanent Delegation of the Slovak Republic to NATO.