On the first two days of its Field Study from 14 – 15 March, the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 27) paid a virtual visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels and were given briefings by the European Union and HQ.
On 14 March, the virtual visit to the European Union (EU) started with the welcome remarks delivered by Ms Nicole Peil from EU and COL Angelo Iachetti from the NDC. The first panel focused on EU security cooperation tools (Security Institutions; PESCO; Military Forces) and the consequences of Brexit on EU foreign and security policies, delivered by Capt. Huygens from the EUMS Operations Directorate and LTC Amoruso from EUMS, Concepts and Capability Directorate.
The second panel dealt with the European Union and China. One briefing on the EU and China trade investment relations was delivered by Mr Durand from the Directorate General for Trade, and the other was on the EU and China’s Security Interests delivered, by Mr. Gerakopoulos from the EEAS.
The EU Field Study day ended with EU’s Global Strategy in the MENA region and a presentation delivered by Ms Loeser, Head of Division MENA – Regional Affairs EEAS on EU’s relations and tools for cooperation with southern partners, and the agenda of actions and priorities for maintaining security in the southern neighbourhood.
On 15 March, the NRCC 27 virtually visited NATO HQ. BGEN Molnar, Director of Academic Operations NDC and MGEN Diella, Director of the IMS Cooperative Security Division (IMS/CS) NATO HQ, delivered their welcome remarks. MGEN Diella highlighted how important partners are for NATO and how Allies must be ready more than ever to adapt.
COL Candido, from the IMS Policy & Capability Division Strategic Analysis & Planning Cell (SAPC), delivered a briefing on the NATO Decision-Making process, its bodies, and highlighted the consultation and mediation mechanisms used to reach consensus.
Mr Goldfein, from the IS Defence Policy and Planning Division (IS/DPP), delivered a presentation on the challenges of contemporary multi-domain operations for the Alliance. And in a final briefing, Mr Cascone, Head of the Counter Terrorism Section, IS Emerging Security Challenges Division (IS/ESC), covered NATO’s work with its partners in the field countering terrorism, thereby concluding the virtual visit to NATO HQ.
All the panels were followed by a Q&A session.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Laura Garcia Pesquera, ESP C)
NATO Defense College