Activities 2024

Strategic Leadership Program in collaboration with the United Kingdom, in Cyprus, from January 29 to February 2, 2024.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence in the context of the Bilateral Defence 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 Defence Academy of the United Kingdom and Cranfield. University, from January 29 until February 2, 2024, at the Ministry of Defence, in Nicosia.

Image: Family Photo, January 29, 2024.

 

During the opening ceremony, greetings were delivered on behalf of the behalf of the Minister of Defence Vassilis Palmas, the Director of Defence Panagiotis Symeou, as well as the British High Commissioner in Cyprus Irfan Siddiq OBE.

Image: Opening ceremony, 29 January 2024.

 

On the part of the Republic of Cyprus, personnel from the Ministry of Defence, the National Guard, the Cyprus Police, the Department of Civil Aviation, the Department of Customs and UNFICYP participated. Senior officers from the Armed Forces of Greece, Jordan, Lebanon and the United Kingdom also participated. It is noted that for the first time senior officers from the Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar participated.

The aim of the course was to enhance strategic leadership and management at the corporate/strategic level across defence and the wider security sector.

The closing ceremony of the course was welcomed by the Chief of the National Guard, Lt. Gen. George Tsitsikostas, followed by the awarding of certificates of attendance to the participants.

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, 02 February 2024.

«EU Climate Security and Defence Training Platform (EU CSD TP)», from 15 to 16 February 2024.

The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence, under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College, organized the kick-off meeting of the EU Climate Security and Defence Training Platform in Larnaca, on 15 to 16 Feb 2024.

Image: Family Photo, 15 February 2024.

The opening ceremony of the seminar was welcomed by the Director of the Security and Defence Academy Lieutenant Colonel Symeon Zambas, in the presence of diplomats accredited to the Republic of Cyprus.

Image: Opening Ceremony, 15 February 2024.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 11 EU Member States (Austria, Cyprus, Greece, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia, Croatia, Finland and Bulgaria) and EU institutions (European Defence Agency, EU Satellite Centre, EU Military Staff and European External Action Service).

The objective of the Platform is to motivate, raise awareness and strengthen specialized expertise through training at both EU and national level, building on existing structures. The above Training Platform has been integrated into the structures of the European Security and Defence College with the primary aim of connecting training providers and 'consumers', generating feedback and ensuring that current and future training curricula reflect current needs.

 

Diplomatic Skills for CSDP Course in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Romania in Cyprus, in Cyprus, from 8 to 11 April 2024.

The Security and Defense Academy of the Ministry of Defense and the University of Timisoara, under the auspices of the European College of Security and Defense and the support of the Romanian Embassy in Cyprus, organized the "Diplomatic Skills for Peace, Security and Defense", in Larnaca from 8 to 11 April 2024.

Image: Family Photo, 8 April 2024.

 

During the course were discussed, the new and the old diplomacy, the globalization trends, the relevance and place of public diplomacy in CSDP missions and the concepts and the practices related to digital diplomacy. The final objective of the course was to train staff to work efficiently in areas related to CSDP at an operational and strategic level.

The 22 participants came from 9 countries (Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Czech Republic, Romania, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Croatia). On the part of the Republic of Cyprus, personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard participated. The 10 speakers came from respective Institutes, Universities and Organizations (European Commission, West University of Timosoara, Egmont Institute, University of Nicosia, University of Piraeus, University of Neapolis, The Cyprus Institute, Ministry of Defense of Romania, Embassy of Romania in Cyprus, and the Romania National Academy of Information).

Image: Opening Ceremony, 8 April 2024.

 

During the opening ceremony, greetings were delivered the Ambassador of Romania to Cyprus, Mr. Sorin-Dan Michalache, and the Ambassador (a.h) Mr. Euripides Evryviadis delivered an opening speech, in the presence of ambassadors and diplomats accredited to the Republic of Cyprus.

Image: Awarding of certificates to the participants, 11 April 2024.

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

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

Maritime Security Course in collaboration with the School of National Defence and the Institute of Advanced National Defence Studies (IHEDN) of France, in Cyprus, from 14 to 16 May 2024.

Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Polish Military Naval Academy, in Poland from 26 to 29 June 2024.

Cadet Leadership Development Training in collaboration with the "Teresa" Military Academy of Austria, in Cyprus, from August 19 to 30, 2024.

ESDC Course on Geoeconomics in collaboration with the Austrian National Defence Academy, the Egmont Institute and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna, from 30 September to 4 October 2024.

Modern Leadership in the Context of LoC & OSINT Course in collaboration with the Army School of War, in Thessaloniki, 14 to 18 October 2024.

High Level Course on CSDP in collaboration with the Austrian National Defence Academy, in Cyprus, from November 25 to 29, 2024.

AI and Security Course in the framework of the Doctoral School of Common Security and Defence Policy in collaboration with the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, from December 2 to 6, 2024.