The last stage of the Regional Approach Field Study for Senior Course (SC) 117 took them to Algiers 9 and 10 December. The visit will certainly go down in the history of the NATO Defense College (NDC) as the first of its kind to Algeria and it will remain in course members’ memories – most of whom had never visited the country before – for a long time to come.
In the morning, NDC staff, the NRCC Faculty and SC 117 course members went to Algerian parliament where they were welcomed by Senator Bouzid LEZHARI. The first lecture on Algerian foreign policy was delivered by Mr Dani BENCHAÂ, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He illustrated the basic elements of Algerian foreign policy at both the global and regional levels and then spoke at length about Algeria’s role as an active member of the African Union and the Arab League. He declared Algeria’s support of an Arab Union, and assured his audience that Algerian foreign policy is based on the precepts of international law.
Senator LEZHARI then spoke about the institutional system in Algeria. He began by illustrating the evolution of the Algerian Constitution and its main chapters, and pointed out that those concerning topics such as territorial integrity, freedom and pluralism can not be changed. Then he briefly elaborated the chapter devoted to the organization of the legislative, executive and judiciary authorities.
In the afternoon, SC 117 moved to the Mediterranean Dialogue Committee estate where they were welcomed by Major General Cherif ZERRAD, the Chief of the Employment-Preparation Department of the Algerian General Staff and President of the Mediterranean Dialogue Committee. He was followed by Col Abdelkrim BELOUASSA who spoke about Algerian defence and security policy and provided an overview of geopolitical factors and the Algerian security environment. Col BELOUASSA described the fundaments of Algeria’s national security policy and highlighted the interaction that exists between the country’s security and defence elements.
Both lectures were followed by Q&A sessions during which course members of SC 117 asking very challenging questions mainly about terrorism. In the afternoon, the course visited the Central Museum of the Army, devoted to the struggle of the Algerian people for independence and freedom. Course members also enjoyed the dinner hosted by Major General Cherif ZERRAD at the splendid Officer’s Club.
During the dinner, the NRCC Faculty had the chance to meet the NRCC alumni from Algeria for an informal discussion on the achievements of the Middle East Faculty and the future of its programme. Algeria has been a very active supporter of the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) and has sent the most participants to all four NRCC courses so far.
The last official event of the field study was the visit to the Cherchell Joint Military Academy where course members were briefed on the history, work and educational activities of the Academy. The visit ended with an exchange of gifts between the Commandants and was deemed a deeply rewarding and memorable experience for NDC staff and course members.
More about the Field Study:
First stop – Romania
Second part – Armenia
Third leg – Türkiye
Fourth step – Bulgaria
NATO Defense College 