On 14 January 2025, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of Spain, H.E. Mr. Libor Sečka, accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, visited the Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED CoE) in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

The Ambassador was received by the Director of the Centre, Colonel Javier Corbacho Margallo, along with representatives from the twelve nations that contribute to the Centre’s multinational team.

During his visit, Ambassador Sečka was briefed by Colonel Corbacho on the Centre’s core mission, international partnerships, and its status as a NATO-accredited hub for expertise in the fight against improvised explosive devices. The presentation highlighted the Centre’s contributions to NATO operations, its focus on innovation in counter-IED strategies, and its commitment to enhancing interoperability among Allied forces.

In a subsequent discussion, the Ambassador expressed particular interest in recent global developments in the field of counter-IED and the evolving challenges associated with asymmetric threats. He also inquired about the performance and integration of the Czech personnel assigned to the Centre. During the visit, he engaged directly with the Czech officer currently serving in the Attack the Network Branch, within the Prevention Section, gaining first-hand insight into the officer’s responsibilities and contributions.

Following the briefing, the Ambassador toured the Centre’s facilities and expressed his appreciation for the professionalism and expertise of its staff. He concluded his visit by signing the Centre’s Book of Honour.

The Czech Republic was the ninth nation to join the C-IED CoE, signing the Memorandum of Understanding in 2013 that established the Centre and outlined its functional alignment with NATO’s Supreme Allied Command for Transformation (SACT). Since then, the Czech Republic has maintained a permanent presence at the Centre, reinforcing its commitment to NATO’s collective defence efforts and to international security.