A Visit to Poland

17 November 2011

At the invitation of the Presidium of the Association of Soldiers the Polish Armed Forces, a delegation of the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers (IAC) and the National Association of Unions of the Armed Forces Reserve Officers (MEGAPIR) paid an official visit to Warsaw on 14 — 16 of November 2011.

The guests from Russia were given a cordial welcome followed by exchange of opinions on ways of cooperation developing between the Association of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces and the «Megapir» Association within the framework of the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers.

Executive Secretary of IAC Anatoly Kumakhov briefed the leadership of the Association in detail on the basis and concept of education, areas of activities of IAC, work of his Secretariat following the first meeting held in Moscow in June 2011. The Union leadership was handed over printed, video and information materials on activities of the Secretariat of IAC and that of the «Megapir» Association.

The Polish colleagues heard a detailed speech delivered by Chairman of the Association in Krasnodar Region Vitaly Bulkovsky on comprehensive activities of «Megapir» both in Russia and abroad.

Sources of finance for «Megapir» representative establishments in Russia’s regions as well as the methodology of implementation of social programmes drew particular attention of the Polish counterparts. Therefore, they were briefed on major activities of the «Megapir» Group of companies, its business structures development, Russia’s tax system and work of the Youth Council of the «Megapir» Group of companies.

The Polish side expressed great interest in activities of the International Advisory Council of Organizations of Reserve Officers and the «Megapir» Association, plans and the strategy of their prospect development with the emphasis given to expansion of the international cooperation.

The leadership of the Association of Soldiers of the Polish Army focused on cooperation among the Visegrád Group countries, Russia, Austria and other states under the annual youth business — forum. In September 2011 the Youth Council of the «Megapir» Group of companies and representatives of Slovak businessmen reached an agreement to establish the forum. The Polish reserve officers expressed willingness to actively participate in the business — forum and asked for the invitation to the first meeting scheduled for summer 2012.

A draft Agreement on cooperation with the «Megapir» Association was also handed over to the Association of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces. Chairman of the Association general Adam Rebach noted that «the paper would be submitted for consideration at the meeting of the Association Presidium in December 2011 during which I would suggest that the draft Agreement should be signed at the second meeting of IAC scheduled for May 2012 in Bratislava.»

On behalf and under instructions of the Board of Directors of the Association, a number of members of the Presidium of the Association of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces were awarded Medals for Veteran Movement Contribution and Officer Valour Medals of the 3d degree.

The Association of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces organized a solemn wreath — laying ceremony with participation of the guard of honour.

On behalf of IAC, the «Megapir» Association and the Association of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, the guard of honour solemnly laid wreath at the military cemetery of the Soviet Army soldiers and to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw. The event was organized under guidance of the Union of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces.

«We have agreed on regular exchange of information and photo materials," Anatoly Kumakhov said summarizing the visit.

At the request of the Polish party, Anatoly Kumakhov and Vitaly Bulkovsky were interviewed by the chief editor of the monthly Association of Soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces Magazine and a reporter for the Russian service of Polish Radio. The main focal points were activities of the International Advisory Council of Reserve Officers and the National Association of Unions of the Armed Forces Reserve Officers (MEGAPIR), issues related to Russia’s military pensioners and reforms of the Russian Armed Forces.

According to the Polish and Russian sides, the visit and negotiations in Warsaw proved to be effective as they helped to get better acquainted with each other which will definitely promote strengthening and widening of further cooperation.