On 19 March 2021, SC 138 arrived in France on Day 5 of the virtual Field Study, having previously visited Italy, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom. The concluding session of this week’s Field Study saw several senior representatives from French government and military institutions, sharing their expertise on France’s vision and role within NATO.
LGEN Olivier Rittimann, the NDC’s Commandant, started the session with welcome remarks intended for Course Members and staff. He was followed by LGEN Luc de Rancourt, Deputy Director General for International Relations and Strategy, who delivered the introduction and an overview of the current French strategic review. Mr Mathieu Droin from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs gave a presentation on France’s approach to its role in NATO’s international affairs. The next presentation was provided by Senator Gilbert Roger, representing the Seine-Saint-Denis and Member of the French Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, who spoke on the NATO-EU partnership. CAPT Philippe Schegg, Head of the NATO Office within the General Directorate of International Relations and Strategy (DGRIS), explained the French vision of NATO. Last, a strategic update on France’s conflicts and future developments was given by Dr. Guillaume Lasconjarias, Head of the Defence and Policy Environment, Directorate for Defence Strategy, Counter-Proliferation and Strategic Foresight at the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and former Senior Researcher at the NDC Research Division. The Friday session brought SC 138’s Field Study 1 to an end.
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(Prepared by Mr Jose Moron Marchena, ESP C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN