On the second day of the regional conference the main topic on the closing day was experience sharing within the region. There were 6 panelists:

- Col. Slavko Angeleski, Vice Dean of the Military Academy

- prof. dr. Jadranka Dujic Frlan, Atlantic Council of Croatia

- Col. Aleksandar Aleksandrov, Chief of NATO liaison office in Skopje

- Mr. Boris Viculin, Atlantic Council of Serbia

- Mrs. Ratela Aslani, Atlantic Council of Albania

- Lt. Col. Marjanco MItevski – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia

The first speaker, Col. Slavko Angeleveski presented the legal, organizational and functional structure of the Military Academy. He acknowledged the importance of investing into human resources, especially due to the fact that there are new missions and doctrinal changes in combat operations, peace keeping operations and crisis management. That’s why the education of the professional forces relies on three pillars: institutional education, training and self-development. Therefore, he shared with the attendants the experience of regional cooperation for the traditional summer campus and in different parts of educational projects that are developed jointly with the educational institutions from the region. In the end, he appointed the importance of the civil-military cooperation, as well as the dedication of the Military Academy to become leading military education institution within the region. Our guest from Croatia, prof. dr. Dujic Frlan, appointed A5 experience in Afghanistan as an asset of strengthening the relations within the region. Although the progress of the SEEU countries was not unified, acting in complex international environment far away from home, created extraordinary platform for joint activities. The lessons learned in Afghanistan can be implemented worldwide.

Col. Aleksandrov transposed the lessons learned within the last period in a nutshell: he appointed the transatlantic link as a corner stone, and NATO operation in Libya as  a very good example of effective response that proofs the allies capabilities. He also introduced a few more good examples of regional cooperation. Furthermore, he addressed the priorities of capacity building during crisis and explained the concept of smart defense. Regional approach is very important, especially speaking about potential post ISAF engagement. During this period, it is essential the way how will be military part replaced with the civil part. There are two main issues: transferring security responsibilities to Afghan national forces and withdrawn of the allies troops. Solidarity, in any case, is the most important thing.

Mr. Viculin shared the Serbian experience that would be essential for the potential post ISAF engagement, although there is a lack of interest within the public.

Mrs. Asllani appointed that somehow, it comes that for every country within the region, the findings are common. Most worrying however is the lack of information. What is interesting or different for Albania is that media and public are 100% pro-NATO-oriented and that losing an officer in Afghanistan did not change that support. Albanian CSOs are working a lot on reintegration and resocialization of people that have come back from mission.

Lt. Col. MItrovski has shared his personal experience of the engagement in Afghanistan, as ARM staff mentoring ANA police in Kabul.

Conclusions were conducted by prof. Hadji Janev, the project director, and will be transposed in the forthcoming publication.