The event, which brought together 65 junior diplomats from EUMS Foreign Ministries and EU institutions, and the Training Directors of the Member States, was organised by the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, in cooperation with the EEAS. The module was opened by welcoming speeches of Mrs Iwona Woicka-Żuławska, Deputy Director of Diplomatic Academy at the MFA of Poland, Mr Rafał Wiśniewski, Director General of the Polish Foreign Service and Mr Charles-Michel Geurts, Head of Division Career, Learning and Development, EU Diplomatic Academy (BHR.4), EEAS. They all emphasised the strategic importance of a highly-developed diplomatic training in today’s geopolitical context.   

The participants addressed the issues of combatting disinformation and cyber threats, economic security and new EU approach on the European competitiveness.  The junior diplomats, who met for the fourth time since the first module in Budapest in November 2024, also attended interactive workshops on topics “How to counter foreign manipulation and interference threats in the EU”, “European competitiveness and raw materials security” and “Personal cybersecurity: trusted strategies for modern times” delivered by experts from the EEAS , European Commission and NASK (Research and Development Centre). At the closing ceremony, the junior MS diplomats and EU officials, including four colleagues from the EEAS, were awarded the 25^th EDP diplomas.

The Training Directors and the EEAS BHR.4 representatives discussed how to train diplomats on countering disinformation and exchanged views on new trends and challenges in the field of Learning and Development, focusing on the use of AI tools and ways of deepening joint cooperation.

Before the official part of the event, all the participants enjoyed a visit to the Museum of King Jan III's in Wilanów Palace where they had the opportunity to get to know Polish traditions at culinary, coinage and court life workshops. Afterwards they visited the College of Europe in Natolin, where they attended a moving concert of the Belarussian Volny Chor and dined to the sound of a live quartet. For the next evening, the organisers prepared a guided tour to the Royal Castle and a gala dinner in Villa Foksal. All these occasions enabled the participants to network and discuss together.

The European Diplomatic Programme, established in 1999, represents a learning environment in which the participants develop their core diplomatic skills, learn to negotiate and build up a European network from which they benefit the rest of their careers. The EDP fosters understanding between the Member States and EU institutions and, focusing on EU external policy, strengthens a true European diplomacy. The 25^th EDP celebrated a quarter of century of the existence of this flagship training programme of the EU and its Member States. The EDP alumni network currently numbers over 1400 persons, including Ambassadors, Consuls General or Directors General.

The 25^th EDP edition (2024-2025)

• Module I: Budapest, 21-22 November 2024

• Modules II: Member States’ capitals, January/February 2025

• Module III: Brussels, 10-14 March 2025

• Module IV: Brussels, 26-28 May 2025