Senior Course 123 arrived in the Spanish capital on Wednesday 9th October, for the last leg of its first Field Study.
Spain’s acknowledgement of the NDC’s contribution to the Alliance was reflected in the meeting on Thursday morning between the Spanish Chief of Defence, Admiral Fernando GARCIA SANCHEZ, and NDC Delegation Leader Brigadier General Gerd BISCHOF (DEU AF).
On 10th October, the NDC delegation was warmly welcomed to the Spanish Centre for National Defence Studies, by Vice Admiral Luis CAYETANO on behalf of the Director, Lieutenant General Alfonso DE LA ROSA. After an official group photo, the discussions were opened by Mr Ignacio IBANEZ, Director General for Foreign Policy and Multilateral, Global and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who gave the audience a most valuable overview of Spanish foreign policy. Spain’s strategic position on the European continent, its historic links to the New World and its membership of NATO are among the factors which have moulded Spanish foreign policy. In addition, Spain is strongly committed to fostering common policies with North African countries.
The second briefing was presented by Mr Alejandro ALVARGONZALEZ, Spanish Secretary General for Defence Policy. His talk focused on the legal framework, organization, areas of action and overriding principles of national defence and security policy.
A presentation on the Spanish Armed Forces concluded this very interesting session. The speaker was Major General Juan CAMPINS, Chief of the Strategy & Plans Joint Staff and an Ancien of the NDC, who covered a number of areas – structure, transformation, budgetary considerations, education and training, as well as current commitments.
All three lectures elicited considerable interest from Course Members, which was reflected in the Q&A period that followed every briefing.
The concluding event of the day was an evening reception offered by the Spanish CHOD, providing an important opportunity for bonding between NDC and Spanish representatives.
On Friday 11th October, Senior Course 123 brought its first Field Study to an end by returning to the NDC in Rome.
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