On 17 February, the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) was officially opened in Bydgoszcz (Poland).

The event was attended by Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Radmila Šekerinska, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, and Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland.

“Today I am pleased to be here in person and to state that the first ever joint institution between Ukraine and NATO has been officially opened. On behalf of Ukraine, I express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues from NATO and Poland for the great joint work that made the opening of the Centre possible,” the Deputy Prime Minister said in her speech.

She said that the Centre had shown its first results even before its official opening: in the autumn of 2024, events were held on resilience, medical knowledge and interoperability of air defence.

Olha Stefanishyna also noted that today, when a brutal war is raging in Europe, peace and security should be a top priority for the democratic world, including for the sake of strengthening the Alliance itself.

“Ukraine is on the first line of defence in this battle. For over a decade, we have been fighting for our freedom and independence, as well as for European peace and security. We have gained vast experience in both countering hybrid threats and waging a full-scale war against the aggressor country. All these lessons can and should become our contribution to NATO’s overall strategy and the development of military doctrines. We are ready to share our experience with NATO member states and partners. At the same time, we would like to take an active part in the Alliance’s programmes and projects related to resilience, innovation and new technologies of warfare. I firmly believe that the creation of JATEC will serve these goals and will be beneficial for both Ukraine and NATO,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.

She also thanked the Ukrainian team already working at the Centre to ensure that it reaches full operational capability.

In her opening remarks, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska expressed that it was a great honour for her to be present at the opening of the Centre, highlighting its significance for NATO-Ukraine relations. She noted that JATEC’s work would bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance and strengthen both Ukraine and the Alliance.

Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, stressed that JATEC was a direct response to the war in Ukraine. He stated that the war, ongoing for almost three years, defined both immediate and future defence needs. He emphasised that it forced everyone to learn and adapt quickly every day, and noted that JATEC met this vital need both today and in the future.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Poland, noted the key historical moment in which the Centre was being opened. He expressed confidence that it would only strengthen the unity of Poland, NATO and Ukraine.

On the eve of the opening ceremony, the inaugural meeting of the JATEC Senior Steering Committee was held on 17 February. Such meetings will be held at least once a year. Ukraine was represented by Deputy Minister of Defence for European Integration Sergiy Boyev. The meeting considered the draft work programme of the Centre for the current year.

The decision to establish the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre in Poland was approved during the NATO Washington Summit.

The main goal of JATEC is to achieve full interoperability between Ukraine and NATO, improve the quality of education, increase the analytical component and training of personnel.