The Inauguration Ceremony for Senior Course 115 was held today, 11 September 2009, at the NATO Defense College.
General Sir John McColl, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, was the guest of honour. The General, visiting the College for the first time, gained an insight into the cultural and educational opportunities offered by the NDC.
Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter Loeser, Commandant of the College, welcomed Senior Course members, along with the Canadian Military Representative, Lieutenant-General Christopher J.R. Davis, and the German Military Representative, Lieutenant General Jürgen Bornemann.
In addition to representatives of NATO nations, Senior Course 115 includes members from the Partnership for Peace (PFP), the Mediterranean Dialogue, the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, Iraq and Contact Countries.
Underlining the College’s main objective, General Loeser quoted Albert Einstein: “ The important thing is not to stop questioning .” He urged the CMs to study with dedication in order to repay the investment made by their home nations in their education at the NDC.
General Sir John McColl’s lecture focused on the complementarily of NATO and the EU in the military domain and the need to go beyond the Berlin Plus agreement and establish a deeper and comprehensive strategic partnership.
Prepared by Ms Monica BARNABA (ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN