At the beginning of November 2009, the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) visited NATO HQ in Brussels (Belgium) to receive briefings on NATO Operations, NATO’s Plans and Policies, and NATO’s Current and Future Agenda by the Deputy Assistant Director for Operations, Brigadier Jesus Amatriain, the Deputy Assistant Director for Plans and Policy, Brigadier Patrick Wouters, and by Captain Norman Jolin and Lt.Col. Russel Combe from IMS/OPS.
The NRCC met the Deputy Secretary General of NATO, H.E. Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, who highlighted the importance of the NRCC as a tool of cooperation and as a means for contributing towards mutual understanding across cultures. The NRCC also had a meeting with the Director of the International Military Staff (DIMS), Lt. General Goddereij, who highlighted the importance of NATO’s partners in the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and in the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) and their contribution to and support for NATO operations.
The Course Members and the Faculty of the NRCC were joined for a working luncheon by the Kuwaiti Ambassador, H.E. Nabeela Al-Mulla, and her accompanying delegation. Ambassador Al-Mulla stressed in her remarks the value of NATO’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) as an instrument and example of multilateral diplomacy with the stated aim of contributing to long-term global and regional security and stability while complementing other international efforts. Ambassador Al-Mulla also highlighted potential areas of cooperation between NATO and the countries of the Gulf region, such as energy security and maritime security.
Following the working luncheon, Mr Michael Ruehle, Head of Speechwriting and Senior Policy Advisor in the Policy Planning Unit, provided the culminating presentation on the “Future of NATO” and engaged in a spirited discussion with NRCC Course members.
This was the NRCC’s first visit to NATO HQ, but given the positive feedback from Course Members, it may not be the last.
NDC Public Affairs Office
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN