From 4 to 5 December 2009, Senior Course 115 was in Athens visiting the Hellenic Defense Headquarters. Lt. Gen. Wolf-Dieter LOESER, NATO Defense College Commandant, and the CMs were welcomed by Lt. Gen. Kostantinos KALAMATOS, Commandant of the Hellenic National Defense College.
The Course Members were presented briefings on the Hellenic National Defense Policy and the National Foreign Policy. The first briefing was delivered by Colonel Dimitrios KASTIOS of the Hellenic Defense General Staff. The briefing drew a picture of Greece challenges from their geo-strategic position, international commitments, protection of natural resources, and Greek national interests. The briefing highlighted several key points such as Greece having the longest coastal area in Europe, its position along the center of human trafficking routes into the rest of Europe, and its location along operational and energy routes between North Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Additionally, Colonel Kastios described the Training and Education efforts the Hellenic Armed Forces were undertaking as they work to increase the percentage of professional forces and reduce the level of conscripts in the military.
Ambassador Kriton PARASKEVOPOULOS of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered the next briefing. The Ambassador gave an overview of Greek security concerns, perceptions, and their evolving nature since the Berlin Wall fell. He stressed the Greek commitment to multilateralism as a pillar of their foreign policy, specifically discussing the UN, EU, NATO and the OSCE. Ambassador Paraskevopoulos also described the Greek position on sensitive political issues and relationships within the Alliance. He concluded with an analysis of the relationship between NATO and the EU, focusing on their complementary capabilities to face the new security challenges.
The presentations ended with a challenging Q&A session where both speakers fielded tough questions from the course members.
After finishing the wonderful visit to Athens, the Winter Field Study is off to Berlin, Germany, to examine the security and political issues of another vital Alliance member.
More about SC115 Winter Field Study:
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN