- 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.

- 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.

The Hellenic Army War College and the Defense and Security Academy of the Ministry of Defense, under the auspices of the European Security and Defense College, organized a course on "Modern Leadership in the context of the Law of Armed Conflict and Open Source Information", from 12 to 16 June 2023, in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The course aimed to develop the leadership skills of the participants in the context of armed conflict. He provided individual training in order to gain experience in managing their organizations. In addition, participants were trained in the basics of the international law of armed conflict, the legal framework and the impact of OSINT on decision-making by experts and practitioners.

The twenty-six participants came from five EU states (Cyprus, Greece, France, Belgium and Romania). It involved senior military personnel involved in the planning and conduct of military operations at the tactical, operational and strategic levels, as well as civilian personnel from different levels of government institutions (defence, foreign affairs and interior ministries) and personnel deployed or expected to be deployed in CSDP civilian and military missions and operations.

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.

 

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

As part of the implementation of the military Erasmus, the Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Theresan Military Academy of Austria, with the assistance of the National Guard, under the auspices of the European College of Security and Defence organized the program for the 7th year Development of Leadership Skills for students and young Officers of Military Academies in Cyprus.

The purpose of this program was for each participant to develop his skills as a leader through team/platoon management and various other tests such as competitive rifle shooting, team endurance competition, orienteering, tactical planning, 24-hour training exercise of a Mechanized Infantry Platoon, etc.

The training involves 14 instructors and 28 students from 13 Military Academies in 11 locations, including 10 Member States of the European Union (Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal) and Zambia.

 

This activity was divided into 2 phases:

Phase 1, from August 21 to 25, 2023, which concerned the training of trainers (train the trainers) which, among other things, included shooting with a G3A3 rifle, reconnaissance and examination of leadership issues.

Phase 2, from August 28th to September 1st, 2023 related to the training of production school cadets, which included, among other things, G3A3 rifle shooting, team log carrying competition, reconnaissance and conducting a final phase of Infantry Platoon M/C level exercise.

This specific training has been provided by the Republic of Cyprus since 2015 and is part of a common European semester implemented by several European Military Academies with the aim of improving the interoperability of the armed forces of the European Union.

 

 

The Republic of Cyprus, although small in size and although it does not have military schools, nevertheless contributes in practice to the European military education for the development of a common European culture of Security and Defence. At the same time, he takes the lead in several activities of the European Security and Defence College, under which the military Erasmus initiative is included.

Image: Απονομή πιστοποιητικών στους συμμετέχοντες, 1 Σεπτεμβρίου 2023.

On the last day, certificates were awarded to those participants who successfully completed the training.

 

- 12th Meeting of the ESDC European Union Military Secondary Schools Forum (EUMSSF), on September 6, 2023, in Nicosia.

On September 6, 2023, the 12th meeting of the EU Military Secondary Schools took place at the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus, within the framework of the European Security and Defence College. The meeting was organized by the Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence with the support of the office of the European Parliament and the European Commission Representation in Cyprus.

Image: 12th Meeting of the EUMSSF, on September 6, 2023.

 

The meeting was attended by delegations from 8 Military Secondary Schools, from Italy, Latvia, Portugal and Romania.

Among others, the first three winners of the 2nd Forum Essay Writing Olympiad presented their papers and were then awarded prizes.

The purpose of this forum is the direct contact and cooperation of all secondary military schools, the creation of common modules (such as the history of the EU, the core values of the EU, the CSDP and the EU Global Strategy) as well as their inclusion in the curricula of military secondary schools. In addition, the exchange of best practices and the promotion of the common European security and Defence culture.

Image: Awarding of honorary diplomas to the first three winners of the 2nd Forum Essay Writing Olympiad.

Although the Republic of Cyprus does not have any military secondary schools, is actively supporting and is chairing the forum since its creation in 2019.

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

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus and the Polish Naval Academy, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, co-organized a course on "Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflicts and the Post-War Period". The activity was organized with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO and took place in Larnaca from 19 to 22 September 2023.

On September 19, 2023, the Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, Mrs. Emmanuela Lambrianidis and the Ambassador of Poland in Cyprus, Mr. Marek SZCZEPANOWSKI, opened the course. Then the President of the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO Ms. Loukia Loizou-Hatzigavriel presented the topic: "Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Cyprus: Challenges for local societies in the post-war period".

Image: Family Photo, September 19, 2023.

 

The 21 participants nominated by Greece, Poland, Germany, Cyprus, Romania and the EU Missions in Georgia and Ukraine. On the part of the Republic of Cyprus, personnel from the Ministry of Defence, the National Guard and the Cyprus Police participated.

The course focused on intangible cultural heritage, which has a significant impact on local community resilience during conventional and hybrid conflicts. The course presented the link between intangible cultural heritage and social resilience during crises, armed conflicts and post-conflict periods. In addition, the participants were informed about the EU institutions, the competent bodies of the Member States involved in the prevention and management of crises and conflicts, as well as in the stabilization and recovery after the conflict, in view of the need for the protection of the intangible cultural heritage.

Image: Opening ceremony, September 19, 2023.

 

The participants, who successfully completed the course as well as the online courses of the European Security and Defence College that preceded it, were awarded, certificates of attendance, signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell.

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, September 22, 2023.

 

 

- Diplomatic Skills for CSDP Course in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Romania in Cyprus and the European Commission, from 16 to 20 October 2023.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus and the University of Nicosia organized, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, and with the support of the Romanian Embassy in Cyprus and the European Commission (in the framework of the Eastern Partnership initiative) the "Diplomatic Skills for CSDP" course.

 

 

Image: Family Photo, October 16, 2023.

 

During the opening ceremony, greetings were delivered on behalf of the Minister of Defence Mr. Michalis Giorgalla, the Director of Minister’s Staff Brigadier General Haris Georgiou, and on behalf of the Ambassador of Romania to Cyprus, Mr. Dan Mihalache, Dr. Lavinia Ochea, in the presence of ambassadors and accredited diplomats in the Republic of Cyprus.

The course took place from 16 to 19 October 2023 in Larnaca, focused on a general introduction, aiming to familiarize participants with the basic principles of diplomacy and the international strategic and diplomatic context. During the course, a critical assessment of the links between diplomacy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) was presented. Issues related to new and old diplomacy, globalization trends, the relevance and place of public diplomacy within CSDP missions were also discussed, and concepts and practices related to digital diplomacy were developed.

The final objective of the course is to support the training of the staff of the EU Member States, its strategic partners and its institutions and organizations, so that they become productive in areas related to the CSDP at operational and strategic level.

Image: Diplomatic Skills for CSDP, October 16, 2023.

 

The 16 speakers of the course came from 8 institutes, universities and organizations (ESDC, West University of Timosoara, Egmont Institute, University of Nicosia, The Cyprus Institute, Ministry of Defence of Romania, Ministry of Defence of Belgium, Embassy of Romania in Cyprus and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus) and the total 38 participants came from 11 countries (Georgia, Cyprus, Romania, Ukraine, Ireland, Portugal, Netherlands, Poland, France, Moldova and Zambia).

Image: Closing ceremony, October 19, 2023.

 

 

During the closing ceremony of the course, the Minister of Defence and the Ambassador of Romania in Cyprus address the participants and awarded the certificates signed by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell.

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, October 19, 2023.

 

 

- - European Defence Standardization Training in collaboration with the Cyprus Standardization Organization and the European Defence Organization, from 24 to 26 October 2023.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence, the Cyprus Standardization Organization and the European Defence Agency (EDA) organized the pilot course "European Defence Standardization".

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Image: Family Photo, October 24, 2023

 

The aim of the course, which took place from 24 to 26 October 2023 in Larnaca, was to familiarize participants with the fundamental policies of European Defence standardization and to provide knowledge regarding Information Technology (IT) activities, processes and tools of EDA Standardization, in order to support the contribution of EDA Member States to the European Standardization Community.

The course was attended by 21 executives from national military authorities, industries, European bodies and international organizations from 13 countries (Cyprus, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain) specializing in Defence standardization.

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, October 26, 2023.

 

During the closing ceremony of the course the participants addressed by the Director of Minister’s Staff Brigadier General Haris Georgiou on behalf of the Minister of Defence Michalis Giorgalla, on behalf of the European Defence Agency (EDA), Emilio Fajardo, Director of the Industry, Synergies & Enablers Directorate and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Organization for Standardization, the President Dimitris Vakis. Participants were awarded certificates of attendance.

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

The Defence and Security Academy of the Ministry of Defence, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Ministry of Defence of Austria, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, organized the "European Armaments Co-Operation (EAC) Course".

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Εικόνα: Αναμνηστική Φωτογραφία, 6 Νοεβρίου 2023

 

The purpose of the course, which took place in Larnaca from November 6 to 10, 2023, was to enhance the understanding and awareness of the participants regarding the practices and benefits of the joint procurement of equipment systems and, more broadly, the joint development of Defence capabilities.

With the contribution of leading European experts, the institutional framework, tools and processes already existing or planned at the European level were analysed, aiming to motivate those responsible to support more and closer cooperation in the field of armaments.

The course was attended by 29 executives of national or international organizations related to the field of armaments from 13 states (Cyprus, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany and Slovakia).

At the opening ceremony of the seminar, the Director of General Procurement and Defence Capabilities Development of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Panagiotis Chatzipavlis and the Ambassador of Austria in Cyprus Dorothea Auer, in the presence of ambassadors and accredited diplomats in the Republic of Cyprus.

Εικόνα: Τελετή λήξης, 10 Νοεμβρίου 2023.

 

During the closing ceremony of the course, the Ambassador of Austria in Cyprus Dorothea Auer address the participants and awarded the certificates signed by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell.

Εικόνα: Απονομή πιστοποιητικών στους συμμετέχοντες, 10 Νοεμβρίου 2023.

 

- Strategic Communication in the Context of Security and Defence in collaboration with the European Commission, from November 20 to 23, 2023.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence and the "Alexandru loan Cuza" Police Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Romania, under the auspices of the European College of Security and Defence, organized the course on Strategic Communication in the Context of Security and Defence, "Strategic Communication in the Context of Security and Defence".

 

Image: Family Photo, November 20, 2023.

 

The course took place in Larnaca, from 21 to 24 November 2023, with the support of the Embassy of Romania in Cyprus and the European Commission, within the framework of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) initiative.

In the course, ways of dealing with a series of crises at the political-military level were examined, within the framework of the Global Strategy for the Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union (EU). This highlighted the role of strategic communication in a rapidly changing landscape, which is shaped by intensive digitization, the emergence of innovative technologies and the proliferation of online misinformation.

 

Image: Strategic Communication in the Context of Security and Defence, November 23, 2023..

During the opening ceremony, on behalf of the Minister of Defence Michalis Giorgallas, the Director of the Staff Brigadier General Haris Georgiou and the Ambassador of Romania to Cyprus Mr. Sorin-Dan Michalache, presence of ambassadors and accredited diplomats.

The course was attended by 39 participants from 11 countries (Armenia, Georgia, Cyprus, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, Greece, Spain, Poland, Lithuania and Belgium). On the part of the Republic of Cyprus, personnel from the Ministry of Defence, the National Guard and the Cyprus Police participated.

The closing ceremony was welcomed by the Ambassador of Romania in Cyprus. The participants, who successfully completed the course, were awarded certificates of attendance signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Mr. Josep Borrell.

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, November 23, 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 27 to 30, 2023.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, in collaboration with the Royal Institute of International Relations EGMONT and the Austrian Defence Academy, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, co-organized the International Course "European Security and Geo-Economy: European Perspectives between Political Responsibility and Economic Autonomy".

 

Image: Family Photo, November 27, 2023.

The course, which took place in Brussels from 27 to 30 November 2023, was organized for the first time and aimed to analyze and discuss the interdependence between European security and the geoeconomy, and in particular to understand the term geoeconomy, as a characteristic of security and Defence policy.

It examined ways of leveraging economic instruments to achieve general strategic interests, particularly among major powers, as well as ways in which the EU can pursue geo-economic policy while remaining true to its values.

 

Image: ESDC Pilot Course on Geoeconomics, November 27, 2023.

The course was attended by thirty one participants from 11 states of the European Union (Cyprus, Austria, Bulgaria, Ireland, Czech Republic, Malta, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium, Romania and Spain).

Participants who successfully completed the course and the online courses of the European Security and Defence College were awarded certificates of attendance signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Mr. Josep Borrell.

 

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, November 30, 2023.

 

- Disinformation Course in cooperation with the George C. Marshall Center of Germany and the University of Nicosia, from 11 to 15 December 2023.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, in collaboration with the George C. Marshall Center and the Diplomatic Academy of the University of Nicosia, co-organized the "Symposium on Whole-of- Society Counter Disinformation”.

 

Image: Family Photo, December 12, 2023.

 

The symposium, which took place at the Ministry of Defence from 12 to 14 December 2023, was organized for the first time and brought together the private sector, academia and government officials.

Objectives included identifying the factors that make organizations vulnerable to disinformation, understanding the impact of emerging technologies on disinformation, identifying how private and public agencies can mitigate disinformation, and identifying the components of a strategy countering misinformation for the whole society.

 

Image:  Disinformation Course December 12, 2023.

 

The program of the symposium, attended by thirty participants from the Ministries - Deputy Ministries of the Republic of Cyprus, the National Guard, the Cyprus Police, the Fire Service, Civil Defence, Universities, semi-governmental organizations and the private sector, included workshops and exercises adapted to the Cypriot environment.

Participants were awarded certificates of attendance signed by the co-organizers.

 

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, December 14, 2023.