Mr. Pieter DE CREM, the Belgian Minister of Defence, visited the NATO Defense College today and attended a lecture together with the course members from the Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors’ Course (GFOAC).
Mr. DE CREM and his delegation were welcomed by Dr. Richard HOOKER, Dean of the College, on behalf of Lieutenant General Wolf Dieter LOESER, and briefed on the College’s activities. The Belgian Ministry of Defence delegation gained an insight into the education offered by the College, the Research Division activities, and the outreach initiatives.
The Minister was fully involved in the daily programme, listening to the lecture “The Strategic Implications of China’s Rise to Power” delivered by Dr. James BOUTILIER.
The Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors’ Course, held at the College from 29 November to 3 December in Rome, and in Brussels from 6 to 8 December, is attended by 42 Course Members representing 26 different countries and focused on “NATO’s direction after Lisbon”. This high-level course, seeks to enhance mutual understanding of security concerns and of NATO’s interests and capabilities among Generals and Flag Officers and high-ranking civilians including Ambassadors from NATO, Partnership for Peace, Mediterranean Dialogue, Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, Contact Countries, and Iraq. It also provides opportunities for networking among one- to three-star officers and civilians of equivalent rank.
LtCol. Mario Masdea, Chief Public Affairs and Protocol Officer, ITA-A
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
