The work of the International Seminar on the future of the EU’s Common Defence and Security Policy was successfully completed.

For the 2nd consecutive year, Greece was rated with excellence by the European College of Security and Defence (ESDC) for the conduct of the 16th Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) High Level Course (HLC) 2020-2021 “Jean Rey”, Module 4, which took place from 7 to 11 June 2021, at the Air Force Academy in Tatoi.

The International Seminar on the Future of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union was organized (as last year) by the General Directorate for National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Ministry of National Defence, assisted by the Austrian Defence Academy and the European Institute for Training on Security issues.

The participants of this seminar were senior officers, diplomats and senior institutional actors of the European Union managing at strategic level CSDP (Common Defence and Security Policy) issues, occupying high command positions at all levels of CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) decision-making.

The purpose of the seminar was to raise awareness of the aspects of the Common Security and Defence Policy among EU civilian and military personnel, to develop an integrated approach to the Common Foreign and Security Policy as a key tool of the Common Security and Defence Policy and to develop a common understanding of EU missions and operations, as well as the existing and future threats of the Union.

During the Seminar, Greece’s geopolitical role in the Eastern Mediterranean was highlighted and issues of national interest were highlighted, such as:

• Challenges, threats and opportunities in the Eastern Mediterranean and the MENA region.

• The security situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and the MENA region.

• The migration issue.

• Factors influencing the implementation of CSDP missions and operations (Kosovo, Somalia, Libya, Mali, naval operations) with a view to finding best practices and solutions on relevant planning and conduct issues.

Crucial issues have also been raised for the European Union, such as:

• Natural and man-made disasters, as well as the crises caused by climate change.

• The Strategic Compass and its role in the Strategic Autonomy of the European Union.

• The European Union as a global player, and

• Emerging threats and the role of the Common Defence and Security Policy (CSDP).

The political and military leadership of the Ministry of the Environment was present in the proceedings of the International Seminar 16th Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) High Level Course (HLC) 2020-2021 “Jean Rey”, Module 4.

In particular, the Seminar was launched on behalf of the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Konstantinos Floros (who was absent abroad), the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Vice-Admiral Ioannis Drymoussis, in the presence of the Chief of the Hellenic Air Force General Staff Lieutenant Generla Georgios Blioumis, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Charalambos Lalousis, the commandant of the Naval Academy Ioannis Kalogeropoulos, as representative of the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff Vice-Admiral Stylianos Petrakis.

On Friday 11 June 2021, the Seminar was closed by Deputy Minister Alkiviadis Stefanis, whose in addition to his greeting also addressed a short speech on “Smart Power”.

Added value to the educational process was given thanks to the interventions and speeches by important personalities from the academic, political, diplomatic and military world — both from Greece and abroad — such as the Professor of International Relations Kostas Yfantis, the Associate Professor Nikolaos Kokkinos, Dr. Elena Lazarou, Dr. Sven Biscop, Dr. Daniel Fiott, Dr. Florence Gaub, Dr. Predrag Jurekovic, Dr. Florian Trauner, Dr. Katarina Mustasilta and Dr. Gustav Lindstrom.

In addition, the Greek diplomat Panagiotis Giannakoulias, Major General Dimitrios Choupis, Director of the E’ Branch of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and Brigadier General of the Hellenic Police Gregory Apostolou, who is head of FRONTEX’s office for Greece and Cyprus, further enlightened the trainees with their knowledge and experience on Common Defence and Security Policy (CSDP).

Of particular interest was also the intervention of the Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and former Head of the Military Committee of the EU General (ret.) Michael Kostarakos.

The International Seminar concluded with the speeches of the General Director of the European Defence and Security College Dirk Dubois and the General Director of the General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, who referred to the need to promote the Common European Defence and Security Policy, as well as to the importance that educational initiatives, such as the High Level Course, have in shaping a common defence and security culture in Europe and training the next generation of senior officials of the European Union.