- Gender Perspective in CSDP Missions and Operations.

The Cyprus Security & Defence Academy (CSDA) of the CY Ministry of Defence and the CY Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the support of the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration (CAPA), under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) organized an ESDC course “Integration of a Gender Perspective in CSDP’’ in Larnaca, Cyprus, from 28th to 30th September 2022.

 

The aim of the course was to provide participants with the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to integrate a gender perspective to their day-to-day work. More specifically, by the end of the course the participants are expected to be able to apply gender perspective in the area of UN and CSDP Missions and Operations. It consists of an e-learning part, as well as a residential part held in Larnaca, both parts being compulsory.  Participants will have the opportunity to network, share views and perspectives with colleagues and with professionals in the field of CSDP.

 

On the part of the Republic of Cyprus, personnel from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Guard, the Cyprus Police, the Fire Brigade, the Department of Public Administration and Personnel and the universities that are members of the European Security College network participated.

- Strategic Leadership Program in collaboration with the United Kingdom.

The Academy, in accordance with the Bilateral Defense Cooperation Program between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, organized a training program "Strategic Leadership Program" in collaboration with the High Commission of the United Kingdom, the Defense Academy of the United Kingdom and Cranfield. University, from 20 to 24 February 2023, at the Ministry of Defense in Nicosia.

The objective of the program was to strengthen leadership and management at a strategic level in defense and the wider security sector. Also preparing future senior officials with the necessary tools and skills to make decisions at a strategic level.

- European Higher Military Education Working Group (EUHME-WG).

The 3rd meeting of the working group on higher military education was held on February 21, 2023 in Brussels at the Military Delegation of Cyprus to the EU. The meeting was attended by 14 countries, with a representative of the ESDC.

The meeting focused on the definition of the group's operating rules and the creation of a common teaching unit on European defence issues, which will be included in the War Colleges' curriculum.

- Diplomatic Skills for CSDP Course in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of Romania in Cyprus and the European Commission.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus and the University of Timisoara (Romania), under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, organized the "Diplomatic Skills for CSDP" course. The activity was organized with the support of the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Romanian Embassy in Cyprus and the Eastern Partnership Initiative, in Larnaca from 27 to 31 March 2023.

The 47 participants came from 10 states (Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Romania, Ukraine, Germany, Moldova, United Kingdom, Greece, Spain), the United Nations and institutions of the European Union. On behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, personnel from the Ministry of Defence, the National Guard, the Cyprus Police and the Defense Committee of the House of Representatives participated. The 12 speakers came from 9 institutes, universities and organizations (UNESCO, Chent University, West University of Timosoara, Egmont Institute, University of Nicosia, Cyprus Institute, Ministry of Defense of Romania, Embassy of Romania in Cyprus).

The course focused on a general introduction to the issues involved, aiming to familiarize participants with the basic principles in the field of diplomacy, the international strategic and diplomatic context and a critical assessment of the links between diplomacy and the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). New and old diplomacy, globalization trends, relevance and place of public diplomacy within CSDP missions were also discussed. Also the course introduced concepts and practices related to digital diplomacy. The ultimate aim of the course was to support EU Member States, its strategic partners and EU institutions and agencies in training their staff to work effectively in CSDP-related areas at operational and strategic levels.

 

On the last day, certificates signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, were awarded to the participants who successfully completed the course and the e learning of the European Security and Defense College.

- Counterintelligence Seminar, in collaboration with the Cyprus Intelligence Service.

A one-day seminar in collaboration with the Cyprus Intelligence Service, took place on April 20, 2023 and concerned the training of personnel who will serve abroad in the next three years, as well as personnel who serve in positions that come into contact with personnel of embassies and companies of foreign countries. The training was about counter-espionage methods and measures and was attended by a total of 12 officers and officials from the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard.

- CSDP Orientation Course focus on MENA Region in collaboration with Austrian National Defence Academy.

The Cyprus Security and Defence Academy (CSDA) and the Austrian National Defence Academy, under the auspices of the European Defence and Security College (ESDC), are co-organizing the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Orientation Course from 15 to 19 May 2023.

The course was welcomed by the Minister of Defence Michalis Giorgallas and the Ambassador of Austria in Cyprus Dorothea Auer. This was followed by a panel discussion on "Strategic Autonomy of the EU",  MEP Kostas Mavridis, Director General of the Ministry of Defence and Director of Defence Policy of Austria Dr Arnold Kammel and Dr Sven Biscop from the Egmont Royal Institute of Brussels participated. The coordinator of the panel was the Diplomatic Counselor of the Ministry of Defence Dr. Andreas Iliadis. The ceremony was attended by ambassadors and representatives of the Embassies in Cyprus, the Mayor of Larnaca, the Director and Members of the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus, the Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Defence Committee, representatives of University Institutions of Cyprus and other Organizations.

The thirty participants came from 11 EU countries (Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, France, Croatia, Hungary, Portugal and Latvia). On the part of the Republic of Cyprus, personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the National Guard, the Cyprus Police, the University Institutions of Cyprus and the Defence Committee of the House of Representatives participated. The 22 speakers came from 17 institutes, universities, embassies and organizations.

 

The course focused on issues of understanding the CSDP as an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union. Participants were exposed to the CSDP institutional framework, current policies, as well as structures, processes and activities. In addition, participants had the opportunity to share views and perspectives with each other and with CSDP professionals in the Middle East and North Africa region.

On the last day, certificates signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell were awarded to those participants who have successfully completed the course and the e learning of the European Security and Defence College.

In addition to the above, the following activities have been planned:

- International Seminar Modern Leadership in the Context of Law of Armed Conflict and Open-Source Intelligence, in collaboration with the Hellenic War Army College, in Thessaloniki, from 22 to 24 May 2023..

- Cadet Leadership Development Training Course in collaboration with the Theresan Military Academy of Austria, from August 21 to September 1, 2023.

- Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Military Naval Academy of Poland, from 19 to 22 September 2023.

- Strategy Planning Course in collaboration with the National Defence University of Washington (TBC).

- European Defence Standardization Training in collaboration with the Cyprus Standardization Organization and the European Defence Organization, from 16 to 20 October 2023.

- Course on European Armament Cooperation in collaboration with the Austrian National Defence Academy, from November 6 to 10, 2023.

- ESDC Pilot Course on Geoeconomics in collaboration with the Austrian National Defence Academy, the Egmont Institute of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from November 20 to 24, 2023.

- Strategic Communication in the Context of Security and Defence in collaboration with the European Commission, from November 27 to December 1, 2023.