DEFENCE
&STRATEGY
/CONFERENCE
2025
28-30 May 2025
Brno, Czech Republic
BVV IDET
sponzored by:
this year's topic
BUILDING RESILIENCE
IN MULTIPOLAR WORLD
The conference will explore the complexities and challenges of maintaining stability in an increasingly diverse and multipolar global order. With a focus on strategic resilience, the conference will delve into crucial topics such as hybrid warfare and the need for coordinated crisis management, the implications of technological advances for modern defence, the challenges of host nation support in times of conflict, and the critical importance of energy security and resilient defense infrastructure. Through these panels, the conference aims to provide insights and strategies for enhancing resilience and preparedness in a world marked by shifting power dynamics and evolving threats.
SPEAKERS
Prof. János Besenyő
University of Óbuda
Dr. Tomáš Kolomazník
Metropolitan University Prague
Professor Dr. János Besenyő is a professor in the Óbuda University, Donát Bánki Faculty of Mechanical and Safety Engineering (Hungary) and head of the Africa Research Institute. He is also visiting professor of the Centre for Military Studies (CEMIS) in Stellenbosch University. Between 1987 and 2018, he served as a professional soldier and served in several peace operations in Africa and Afghanistan. He received a PhD in military science from Zrínyi Miklós National Defense University (Hungary) and he received a habilitated doctorate at Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary). In 2014, he established the Scientific Research Centre of the Hungarian Defence Forces General Staff, and was its first leader from 2014 to 2018. His most recent publication is Conflict and Peace in Western Sahara The Role of the UN's Peacekeeping Mission (MINURSO). https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7198-9328
Tomáš Kolomazník spent a significant part of his career at the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, working in the Department of Defence and Security Policy. After leaving public service, he turned his focus to security consulting and market research. Together with a colleague, he founded the company Center for Security Consulting. The company’s vision is to bridge academia, public administration, and the private sector in the field of security. Its clients are based not only in Europe but also in the United States. In addition to his consulting work, he teaches at the private university AMBIS and at CEVRO University. He is currently also a PhD student at the Metropolitan University Prague. His research focuses on information operations, strategic communication, and other security-related topics. He is the co-author of the book “Why Do We Believe Disinformation?”, published both in the Czech Republic and in London.
Zdeněk Rod, Ph.D.
University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
Zdeněk Rod is an assistant professor at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Department of Politics and International Relations, and at CEVRO University in Prague, Department of Security Studies. Zdenek also serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Security Consulting in Prague and is a Visiting Fellow at John Lukacs Institute for Strategy and Politics at the University of Public Service in Hungary. Zdeněk holds a Ph.D. degree in International Relations with a specialization in Security & Conflict Resolution. He is also a member of various think tanks and institutes such as CEVRO University Center for Security Studies (CEBES) or Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS) or TOPAZ. Zdeněk's expertise lies in security studies, conflict resolution, hybrid threats, and strategic communication. His academic journey has included studies at universities in Ljubljana and Budapest and the European Security and Defence College in Brussels. He has undertaken research visits, including one to the NATO CIMIC Centre of Excellence in The Hague. Before his academic pursuits, Zdeněk contributed to the Czech Ministry of Defence, bringing practical experience to complement his scholarly endeavours. He has a rich publication history, having authored and co-authored several academic articles, chapters and books (e.g. Oxford, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, Routledge, Palgrave and Macmillan publishers) and policy articles (e.g. RAND, SAIS Review of International Affairs, Defence News, The Diplomat). His contributions extend to active involvement in national and international research projects.
Artúr Nagy
University of Jan Evangelista in Ústí nad Labem
Artúr Nagy is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Ústí nad Labem (UJEP) in the Czech Republic, originally from Hungary. His research focuses on Soviet and Russian military operations in various regions, particularly at the tactical level. He has conducted extensive historical and contemporary research on both Russian and Ukrainian armed forces. He has had the honor of presenting his work to the Hungarian Ministry of National Defense and its research group focused on the Russian-Ukrainian war, and has published on the topic through the National University of Public Service.
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prof. Artur Gruszczak
Jagiellonian University
Artur Gruszczak is a Professor of Social Sciences, Chair of National Security at the Faculty of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University in Krakow. He held NATO Research Fellowship for the Study of Democratic Institutions, and was a co-coordinator of the project “NATO’s New Strategic Concept 2010”. His principal interests and research areas include: transformation of war and the future of warfare; European and transatlantic security; European intelligence cooperation. He published extensively on these topics. Recently he co-edited with Sebastian Kaempf Routledge Handbook of the Future of Warfare (Routledge 2024).
Josef Myslín, PhD.
CEVRO Institute
Josef Myslín studied information technology, systems engineering, civil protection, education, and management. In his professional work, he focuses on integrating these fields. He works as a lecturer at the Department of Security Studies at CEVRO University. His areas of expertise include the use of information and other technologies in the field of security, as well as modeling (process, structural, etc.), planning, and management in the context of security, crisis management, and civil protection. He also contributes to a public education project aimed at improving preparedness for emergencies.
BG (Ret.) František Mičánek, Ph.D.
CEBES – Centre for Security Studies, CEVRO Institute
František Mičánek is the Executive Director of the Center for Security Studies (CEBES). He specializes in state defence and the theory of war, the role of the armed forces within the Czech security system, the development of security infrastructure, and cooperation with international organizations such as NATO and the EU. He spent most of his professional career in the Czech Armed Forces, where he held a range of leadership positions in air defence units, including participation in the SFOR mission and senior roles in defence planning at the Ministry of Defence. He completed strategic-level training at the U.S. Air War College in Alabama. He has received multiple awards for his service, including medals from the Czech Army and NATO.
Natália Sabol Tkáčová
Friedrich Naumann Foundation
Natália Sabol Tkáčová works as Project Manager for Friedrich Naumann Foundation office in Prague. She is a Slovak expert in disinformation, hybrid threats, and foreign malign influence, focusing on Central Europe. She holds two Master's degrees in International Relations (Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, and Metropolitan University Prague, Czech Republic). Her commitment to security has been reinforced by specialized security (PSSI, Adapt Institute, OSCE/UNODA) and diplomatic (Štefan Osuský Summer School) trainings. She is also the Transatlantic Security Initiative IV fellow and the OSCE Pool of Young Experts member. Ms Tkáčová has published several papers on information security (Disinformation on Telegram in the Czech Republic: Organizational and Financial Background; Istanbul Convention in the Czech Republic: Debate Dynamics, Key Actors, and Communication Recommendations; and more) and has appeared on the Infosecurity.sk podcast. She is fluent in Slovak, English and Spanish.
dr. Michal Piechowicz
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun
His research interest focuses on issues related to the decision-making processes and NATO / EU defence and security policy issues. My ongoing and future-oriented goal is to establish research and trust-based links with partners dedicated to Central European studies who are interested in joint research projects within NATO or CSDP, including issues like EDF, PSECO or a comprehensive approach to the European Security Architecture, including joint actions on national and supranational levels. I'm also interested in the macro-regional sphere of the Arctic and this region's security-related aspects.
Jarosław Tokarczyk
NATO DEEP eAcademy
As a Public Relations Specialist at NATO DEEP eAcademy, he leads and supports strategic communication and international outreach initiatives. He collaborates with the Polish Association for Security on education projects, combining expertise in digital media with a deep understanding of defense education. He has completed certified training in social media, virtual reality in education, and multimedia design. As a Subject Matter Expert, he contributes to NATO DEEP workshops on digital learning. His academic interests focus on neurocognitive science, with research conducted on stress responses in virtual reality environments and the therapeutic applications of immersive technology.
dr. Tomasz Klin
University of Wrocław
Dr. Tomasz Klin, assistant professor in the Institute of Political Science at University of Wroclaw. His main research interest is international politics, specifically: geopolitics, spheres of influence, interstate subordination, as well as international security issues, namely: Central & Eastern European and NATO eastern flank countries towards Russia's expansion. He publishes in international academic journals: Political Studies Review, Croatian International Relations Review, Przegląd Zachodni - Western Review; Lithuanian Annual Strategic Review, Yearbook of the Institute of East-Central Europe. His newest publication is: T. Klin (2025): Measuring Central and Eastern European Countries’ Responses to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Central European Journal of International and Security Studies 19(1).
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dr. Wojciech Kazanecki
Institute of Political and Administrative Sciences, Wyższa Szkoła Kształcenia Zawodowego
Dr Wojciech Kazanecki specializes on geopolitical analysis of current world affairs. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the University College of Professional Education in Wroclaw. Between 2004-2014 he has established and led Lower Silesian Centre of Strategic Studies (DOSS) – regional think tank devoted to global and local affairs. Between 2010-2018 he was he was a visiting lecturer of ICN Business School Nancy-Metz (France). He worked for local self government as Director of Regional Policy Unit, and then, for more than 12 years, he worked for a leading global consulting firm as a manager. He is also a member of the Forecasting Committee of the Polish Academy of Science (since 2011). Full list of publications and additional information is available at his blog: kazanecki.wordpress.com
Yurii Punda, Doctor Hab.
Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
Yurii Punda earned a Strategic Level Master's Degree in “Management in the military sphere” at the National Defense Academy of Ukraine and master degree at NDU of the USA. In 2014, he defended his postdoctoral thesis (habilitatus) on strategic management in the defence sphere. In 2020 – 2022 he occupied the position of Defense Policy Directorate General Director in MoD of Ukraine. His research and educational activities are focused on national security and military strategy, education management and leadership development within the Professional Military Education. He is also focusing on hybrid threats, russia’s policy and strategy.
Vira Konstantynova
Center for Geopolitical Studies “KONSTANTA R&D GROUP”
Vira Konstantynova is a strategic affairs and security policy expert specializing in Ukraine’s foreign policy, wartime diplomacy, and international security cooperation. With over a decade of experience in international relations and geopolitical risk, she has advised top-level leadership during one of the most critical periods in Ukraine’s modern history. Her core competencies include national resilience policy, energy security, hybrid threats, strategic communications, wartime diplomacy, and crisis negotiations. She served as Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine, providing strategic counsel on inter-parliamentary cooperation. Her career spans several positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and the Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine. Since 2024, Vira has been leading the Center for Geopolitical Studies ‘KONSTANTA R&D Group’ as its Director. She delivers guest lectures at leading foreign research and training institutions in diplomacy and defense. Mrs. Konstantynova holds an M.A. in International Relations from Odesa I.I. Mechnikov National University. She is an alumna of the British Council’s Future Leaders Connect, the LEADx Change Program, and the German Marshall Fund’s Policy Designers Network. She is also a graduate of the UNITAR Women for Peace – Emerging Leaders Program.
Veronika Hornyák Gracza
Ludovika University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary
Veronika Hornyák Gracza is a PhD candidate at the Doctoral School of Military Sciences of the Ludovika University of Public Service and a Doctoral Fellow of the Doctoral School on Common Security and Defence Policy within the European Security and Defence College. Her area of expertise is European security and defence policy, with special focus on EU-led peacebuilding and crisis management missions. Mrs. Hornyák Gracza holds a bachelor’s degree in International Public Administration and master’s degrees in International Public Service Relations and International Security and Defence Policy from the University of Public Service, Budapest. Additionally, she has a postgraduate degree in Sports Diplomacy from the Széchenyi University of Győr. Most recently, Mrs. Hornyák Gracza was a Fulbright scholar at American University in Washington D.C., where she pursued a graduate certificate program and conducted research at the Transatlantic Policy Center.
BG Radek Haratek, M.S.
Cyber and Information Warfare Command
William Liffick
Littoral Dynamics
Assoc. Prof. Josef Procházka
Director of Centre of Security and Military Strategic Studies, University of Defence
Josef Procházka is the Director of the Center for Security and Military Strategic Studies at the University of Defence in Brno. Born in 1966 in Brno, he graduated from the Antonín Zápotocký Military Academy with a specialization in tank and automotive technology. His military career included service in technical and logistical support roles, staff functions at the General Staff and Ministry of Defence in logistics and acquisition, and assignments in the SFOR and EUFOR missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also served as Defence Adviser to the Permanent Delegation of the Czech Republic to NATO between 2011 and 2014. A graduate of the doctoral programme in State Defence Management and the General Staff Course at the University of Defence, he completed study stays abroad focused on logistics, resource management, security policy, and strategic governance. In 2019, he earned his habilitation with a thesis on strategic approaches to armed forces adaptation and development strategy
Petr Krajáč, PhD.
Department of Applied Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Defence
Doctor Krajáč is an academic staff member at the University of Defense in Brno. He is a graduate of the Military Academy in Bratislava, specializing in social sciences. He holds a degree in philosophy and has been devoted to educating both military and civilian professionals in the fields of management, leadership, military, and business ethics. Since March 2022, he has been focusing on axiological research on the war in Ukraine, emphasizing Russian traditional state aggression. He is also interested in the relationship between the development and application of artificial intelligence and the defense capability of our country.
David Mareček, Ph.D.
Metropolitan University Prague
David Mareček is an Assistant Professor at the Department of International Relations and European Studies at the Metropolitan University Prague. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Hradec Králové. His academic interests include U.S. foreign policy, the Cold War, Euro-Atlantic relations, the European Union, the American political system, and the theory of ontological security. He has studied and conducted research abroad, including academic stays at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest and Missouri Southern State University in the United States. He is the author of several scholarly articles, such as "Bush’s ‘Beyond Containment’ Strategy toward the Eastern Bloc in 1989 within the US Foreign Policy Context", "The Path to the Unexpected Partnership of Nixon and Kissinger in 1969", and "U.S. Foreign Policy toward the Eastern Bloc during the Polish and Hungarian Uprisings". He has also been involved in research projects focused on U.S. diplomacy toward Hungary during the era of détente (Budapest, 2020), Henry Kissinger’s NATO policy (Brussels, 2021), and the impact of Ostpolitik on Euro-Atlantic relations (Berlin, 2022).
Captain Thomas Hader
US Marine Corps
Miroslav Plundrich, Ph.D.
University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
HOW
TO
PARTICIPATE
AGENDA
Icebreaker
Wednesday 28
16:00-20:00
Registration and networking
University of Defence Club (Šumavská 4)
1st Conference Day
Thursday 29
8:30 Registration and breakfast
9:00 Keynote Speech Building Resilience in Multipolar World (Josef Procházka (CSMSS, University of Defence, CZ), František Mičánek (CEVRO Institute, CZ))
09:30 - 10:30 1st Panel Societal and Cognitive Resilience
Wojciech Kazanecki (Wyższa Szkoła Kształcenia Zawodowego, PL), Building Society Resilience in Times of Hybrid War
Pavel Gazárek (ČVUT, CZ), Deradicalisation as an Opportunity for a Resilient Society
Cezar Vasilescu (DRESMARA, RO), Cognitive Warfare and Societal Resilience: Defending Minds
10:30 - 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 - 11:45 Panel Discussion Defending Societal Resilience, chaired by dr. Lukáš Dyčka (Thomas Hader (USMC, NATO DEEP, USA); Radek Haratek (Cyber and Information Warfare Command, CR) & Vira Konstantynova (Centre for Geopolitical Studies, Konstanta Group, UA).
11:45 - 12:45 2nd Panel Geopolitical Challenges and Strategic Resilience, chaired by dr. Adam Potočňák
David Mareček (MUP, CZ), Reverse Kissinger Strategy
Artur Gruszczak (Jagiellonian University, PL), Poland's Security Policy and Militarization of Geopolitics
Yurii Punda (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, UA), Security Governance Lessons Identified: Case Ukraine 2000-2020)
12:45 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 3rd Panel Strategic Adaptations and Defense Innovations, chaired by dr. František Mičánek
Petr Krajáč (Department of Applied Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Defence, CZ)
Artificial Intelligence and Earth Defense Capability
Artúr Nagy (Jan Evangelista Purkyně University, CZ/HU) Modern Infantry and Drones in the Russo-Ukrainian War
Tomasz Klin (University of Wroclaw, PL) NATO Eastern Flank Counterbalancing Strategies
Michal Piechowicz (Nicolas Copernicus Uni, PL) How the war in Ukraine challenged the Western
Multi-Level Governance system (lessons learned 2022-2024)?"
15:00 – 16:00 Coffee Break and Joint Transfer to Slavkov (voluntary)
BVV Trade Fairs Brno – Hall P4, Výstaviště 405/1
Social Evening
Thursday 29 PM
16:00 The Cairn of Peace Memorial tour
17:30 Restaurant Stará Pošta tour and dinner
19:00 Tour to Žuráň – Napoleon’s command post
20:00 Joint bus transfer back to Brno
2nd Conference Day
Friday 30
8:30 Breakfast
09:00 - 10:15 4th Panel Strategic Communication and Countering Hybrid Warfare, chaired by dr. Adam Potočňák
Zdeněk Rod (The University of West Bohemia, CZ) 360-Degree Approach to Counter Disinformation
Tomáš Kolomazník (Metropolitan University Prague, CZ) Strategic Communication Models: CZ, SK, FR, UK
Natália Tkáčová (Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom SK) Gendered Disinformation
Josef Myslín (CEVRO Institute, CZ) Building Cognitive Resilience Through Media Literacy
10:15 - 10:30 Coffee Break
10:30 - 11:00 NATO DEEP eAcademy Introduction Jarosław Tokarczyk (NATO DEEP, PL)
11:00 - 12:15 5th Panel Emerging and Subversive Threats, chaired by dr. Dominika Kosárová
Thomas Hader (USMC, NATO DEEP, USA) Dark Net and Cryptocurrency
William Liffick (Littoral Dynamics, USA) Maritime Threats
Gabor Szucs & János Besenyő (Obuda University, HU) Critical Infrastructure Protection: terrorism
Miroslav Plundrich (The University of West Bohemia, CZ) Non-State Negative Actors in Hybrid Warfare
12:15 Closing Remarks Josef Procházka (CSMSS, University of Defence, CZ)
12:30-13:30 Lunch
BVV Trade Fairs Brno – Hall P4, Výstaviště 405/1
VENUE
The Defence and Strategy Conference is held as part of the IDET International Defence and Security Technologies Fair.
The IDET International Defence and Security Technologies Fair is a key defence and security event in Central Europe, featuring strong international participation. Organised with the support of Czech political and military leadership, its main exhibitor is the Ministry of Defence and the Czech Army. The fair regularly welcomes foreign military and defence delegations.
All registered conference participants will receive tickets to the IDET International Defence and Security Technologies Fair and will have the opportunity to explore the exhibition during the event.
The IDET fair is open on 28 and 29 May from 9:00 to 17:00, and on 30 May from 9:00 to 16:00.
Our Conference at IDET
The conference will take place
in Pavilion P, in the Auditorium P4 of the Brno Exhibition Centre.
How to get there?
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From Brno Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží), take tram no. 1 (direction Ečerova) and get off at Mendlovo náměstí.
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At Mendlovo náměstí, transfer to bus no. 44 or 84 (direction Pisárky / Kamenný vrch) and ride to the Riviéra stop.
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After getting off at the “Riviéra” stop, follow the path in line with Pavilion P (3 min).
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The Auditorium P4, where the main sessions will be held, is located on the second floor of Pavilion P.
Tickets for public transport (tram + bus) can be purchased:
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At ticket machines located at major stops (including the main station) – contactless payment available.
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By card directly in the tram or bus – look for the yellow ticket terminal near the doors.
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Via the mobile app “Poseidon” or “IDOS” (available for iOS and Android).
For this trip, we recommend a 30-minute ticket, which costs 25 CZK. Be sure to validate your ticket immediately after boarding (in the yellow validator, if not purchased on board).
Alternatively, you can stay on tram no. 1 all the way to the stop Výstaviště – hlavní vstup (Main Entrance to the Exhibition Grounds). However, please note that from the main entrance, you will need to walk across or around the entire exhibition area to reach Pavilion P.
HOW TO GET TO BRNO?
Overview of possible air, bus or train routes from major European cities to Brno.
As direct flights to Brno - Tuřany [BRQ] are relatively limited, travelers from major European cities are advised to consider alternative routes — either by rail, bus or by flying into Vienna [VIE], which is conveniently located approximately one hour from Brno by train or bus.
The following are the key bus and train routes to Brno:
AUSTRIA
Wien Hauptbahnhof - Brno hlavní nádraží
Duration: 1,5 hours
Operators: ÖBB, RegioJet, České dráhy (ČD)
SLOVAKIA
Bratislava hlavná stanica - Brno hlavní nádraží
Duration: 1,5 hours
Operators: RegioJet, České dráhy (ČD)
HUNGARY
Budapest Nyugati/Keleti/Déli - Brno hlavní nádraží Duration: 4-5 hours
Operators: MÁV, RegioJet, České dráhy (ČD)
GERMANY
Berlin Hauptbahnhof - Brno hlavní nádraží
Duration: 7 - 8 hours
Operators: ÖBB, Deutsche Bahn, České dráhy (ČD)
POLAND
Warszawa Centralna - Brno hlavní nádraží
Duration: 7 hours
Operators: RegioJet, PKP Intercity, České dráhy (ČD)
For a smooth travel experience, we highly recommend booking your train tickets through the 'Můj vlak' app by České dráhy or the RegioJet app. If you prefer to travel by bus, mobile apps such as RegioJet and FlixBus offer efficient and reliable options.
ABOUT ORGANIZATOR
CENTRE FOR SECURITY
AND MILITARY STRATEGIC
STUDIES
Centre for Security and Military Strategic Studies (CSMSS or Centre) is a university educational, research, and expert workplace of the University of Defense. The mission of the Centre is to carry out educational, research and expert activities to ensure the state’s defence while respecting the requirements of the MoD department and academic freedoms.
The Centre provides the Senior Officers Course, General Staff Course, and Professional Training Courses. Educational activities are ongoing within the framework of university studies or lifelong learning for both national or international public administration personnel, civilian and military experts acting in the area of defence and strategic decision-making.
Centre conducts applied research and expert activities in security and military-strategic studies, producing strategic studies, concepts, analyses, and forecasts tailored to the Ministry of Defence’s needs. Centre is also editing two academic journals, Obrana a strategie and Vojenské rozhledy, both listed in Web of Science and Scopus databases.
EXPERTISE
The Centre maintains consultation support and expert and advisory activities in defence and security. Centre members present their expert contributions in the media and participate in editorial boards, NATO SAS panels or national and international expert groups.
ABOUT
DEF&STRAT/CON
The Defence and Strategy conference is a platform for experts, military professionals, and academics focused on defense and security. Organized by the Centre for Security and Military Strategic Studies, University of Defence.
The conference provides a space for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and the latest research in the field of strategic studies, military art, defence and international relations.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
OR
PRESENT
ATTEND
CONFERENCEFEE INFO
After completing the registration form, payment of the conference fee is required to secure participation. The conference fee covers administrative support,
an evening icebreaker, refreshments, and coffee breaks.
Payment in CZK: 2000527020 / 2010 (Fio banka)
IBAN (Payment in EUR): CZ5420100000002000527020 BIC/SWIFT: FIOBCZPPXX
Variable Symbol: 20253
Amount: 120 EURO (3000 CZK)
Message for the Recipient: Please include the name
of the participant for whom the payment is made
in the message for the recipient.
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: 11.4. 2025
DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT: 22.4. 2025
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