Today the Graduation Ceremony for the fourth NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC-4) was held in the Maynard Thorn Auditorium at the NATO Defense College in Rome. The graduation address was delivered by His Excellency Mr. Claudio BISOGNIERO, Deputy Secretary General of NATO who was warmly welcomed by the Commandant of the NATO Defense College, Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter LOESER.
The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant General LOESER who congratulated the participants of the fourth NATO Regional Cooperation Course. He also highlighted the political importance of the NRCC as a new initiative developed to expand the NATO network of educational activities towards the partners of the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI). He furthermore stressed the importance for the Alliance’s relations with its Mediterranean and Gulf partners and how this Course has developed into a real cornerstone of this interaction.
The graduation lecture by H.E. Mr Claudio BISOGNIERO focused on NATO’s new Strategic Concept and how the main objective of the Lisbon Summit was to make NATO fully fit to face the challenges of the 21st century. In his speech Ambassador Bisogniero highlighted the importance partnerships have attained for the Alliance considering that today, partnerships are the third pillar of NATO, along with territorial defence and out-of-area operations.
Furthermore he pointed out that “NATO can best act as a “hub” and bring interested nations together. We have excellent experience, for example, in training and education, and helping our partners to improve the interoperability of their forces with those of the Allies”.
The Graduation Ceremony was attended by dignitaries and representatives of the diplomatic community in Rome as well as by H.E. Sheikh Thamer Ali Al-Sabah Vice President of the Kuwait National Security Bureau and H.E. Mr Jaber Duaij AL SABAH, Ambassador of Kuwait to Italy, as well as, H.E. Mr Abdulaziz Nasser Rahma ALSHAMSI Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Italy.
After the graduation speech, the Course Members of NRCC-4 had the opportunity to ask Deputy Secretary General BISOGNIERO questions about future perspectives and other current topics.
After the Question and Answer session, His Excellency and Lieutenant General LOESER delivered the diplomas and passed on their good wishes to the Graduates.
The fourth NATO Regional Cooperation had 27 participants from 16 countries and was hence the largest course since its first inauguration in 2009. Course Members included officers from a variety of services, as well as from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior and the National Guard.
The main purpose of the 10-week programme is to build understanding, trust and cooperation among military and civilian personnel from MD, ICI and NATO countries. During their 10-week programme Course Members examine current and future security challenges affecting the region and NATO member states.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Valerie Kasseckert, DEU C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
