After beginning its European Perspectives Field Study in Tirana with briefings on Albania’s Armed Forces and foreign, security and defence policies, Senior Course 124 (SC 124) travelled to Berlin.
On 26th March, the NDC delegation was welcomed to the Federal Ministry of Defence by Dr Géza Andreas VON GEYR, Director General for Security and Defence Policy, who spoke briefly about the value of cooperation between member nations of NATO and with partners.
Capt Axel DEERTZ, Branch Head Security Policy – Bilateral Relations – EU CSDP, provided the opening lecture on the reorientation of the Bundeswehr to respond to German operational requirements while working within the limitations imposed by the financial crisis. He described the German level of ambition and the new force structure to be implemented over the coming years. He then provided a brief overview of global challenges, threats and risks, and of how German security policy is designed to meet those challenges. He also briefly discussed the future of NATO and security and safety challenges within the EU.
Col Kay BRINKMANN, Branch Chief, Region Europe/Eurasia, Directorate for Strategy and Operations, then gave a detailed presentation of Germany’s commitment to NATO, UN and EU operations. He also provided information on Germany’s future contribution to a post-ISAF mission in Afghanistan as long as certain prerequisites are satisfied. A busy Q&A session with the morning’s speakers, which delved deep into German capacity, policy and participation, brought this session to a close.
After lunch the SC was treated to a tour of Berlin, which was followed by a reception and a Bavarian-themed dinner hosted by Dr Ralf BRAUKSIEPE, State Secretary to the Minister of Defence and Member of the German Bundestag.
During the morning of 27th March, SC 124 visited the Bundestag, where they were welcomed by Mr Niels ANNEN, Chairman of the SPD group in the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee and Member of the German Bundestag, and Stephan LIEBIG, an opposition Member of the Bundestag. After a brief introduction, the floor was opened for questions from Course Members, during which a number of topics were addressed, including the situation in the Crimea, German relations with Russia, German participation in operations, nuclear deterrence, CSDP, and EU- NATO involvement in Africa. It was a very dynamic and informative Q&A period where differing viewpoints were expressed. Overall, it was an excellent session where Course Members had the opportunity to hear frank and candid thoughts and perspectives from two of Germany’s parliamentarians.
After a great visit to Berlin the SC moves to London.
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