SC 124 in Paris – European Security Perspectives Field Study

On Monday 31st March, Course Members assembled for a day of national briefings at the École des Invalides in Paris.

Rear Admiral Patrick CHEVALLEREAU, Director of the International Organizations Department and an ‘Ancien’ of SC 101, welcomed SC 124 to Paris and presented a French perspective on NATO, starting with a historical overview of French-NATO relations. He emphasized the importance of the Alliance for France and its enduring commitment to it. He also described in some detail the French vision for NATO, which includes the need to improve coordination and cooperation with the EU, as well as to remain flexible and able to respond when required. He completed his brief with some thoughts on the forthcoming NATO summit.

The next lecture, delivered by Mr Manuel LAFONT RAPNOUIL, Head of the Political Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dealt with France’s Foreign Affairs Policy. The speaker outlined the principles of French Foreign Policy and its current priorities. He emphasized the need for cooperation between nations in order to achieve security objectives and described France’s concept which would enable international organizations to attain these objectives. He then summarized the major risks and challenges facing France in the future.

Colonel Frédéric CHIFFOT provided the next presentation, which covered the law behind French defence policy and the recently published White Paper. He stressed the importance, within the current policy, of maintaining the ability to intervene autonomously in operations where French national interests are at stake. However, he also drew attention to the fact that France continues to place high priority on collective defence and cooperative efforts. He also described the Vision 2020 White Paper and French ambitions in terms of capacity development. He highlighted the desire of French policy makers to strike the right balance between strategic sovereignty and budgetary sovereignty.

Major General Jean Maurin, Deputy Chief of the International Relations Department of the Chief of Staff, then delivered the concluding remarks, in which he reaffirmed France’s commitment to the Alliance and its inherent values.

On completion of the programme in Paris, SC 124 will return to Rome to continue the Field Study in Italy’s capital.

NDC Public Affairs Office