The inauguration ceremony for the sixth NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) took place yesterday at the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome. The inauguration speech was given by the Commandant of the NDC, Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug.
The Commandant, in his opening address, brought attention to the hope that examples such as Egypt and Tunisia provide for all those who strive for democracy; the presence of representatives from both Countries is a signal of change in the Middle East. Lieutenant General Dalhaug further outlined the common threats that both NATO and its partners are currently facing: terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, potential disruption to our energy supplies, and illegal trafficking. In his speech, the Commandant also quoted NATO Secretary General Rasmussen: “Throughout history, the fates of Europe and North Africa and the wider Middle East have been linked. Our economies are linked. And our security is linked too… And we must work together to deal with them”. Cooperation, mutual interest, and mutual understanding, are all elements which are to be considered the aim of the NRCC.
Despite the unstable situation in the Middle East, NRCC-6 has reached one of its highest participation of course members. In fact, it combines 26 participants from 13 different countries; the aim is to enable the course members to analyse and explore current security issues not only in the Middle East but in the whole of the Mediterranean. The course highlights areas of concern both to Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) nations and to NATO. Whilst addressing these issues, the course also allows participants to develop a mutual understanding of problems faced, as well as networking opportunities. NRCC-6 has reconfirmed the participation of students from the United States and from Saudi Arabia, reaffirming their faith in the program.
NDC Public Affairs Office
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN