Participants of the 14th Senior Course on Security and Defense are certified

Published: Friday, 24 May 2024 14:39

 

Today, a ceremony was held in the "General Enrico Tellini" auditorium at the Ministry of Defense to certify the participants of the 14th Senior Course on Security and Defense.

Attendees included the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Arben Kingji; the General Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, Mrs. Gelardina Prodani; the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Manushaqe Shehu; ambassadors and resident military attachés; members of the National Security Commission; commanders of main forces and autonomous units; family members; and high-ranking representatives from the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

In his address, Major General Arben Kingji congratulated the participants for successfully completing the 14th Senior Course on Security and Defense. He praised the Defense and Security College for leading and developing the highest-level course in the military education pyramid on security and defense issues: “On behalf of the Minister of Defense, Mr. Peleshi, and myself, I congratulate you on this significant milestone in your professional journey. Today marks the end of a three-month period dedicated to advancing your knowledge across a wide range of topics oriented towards security and defense policies, international relations, and contemporary concepts of security and defense.”

Major General Kingji emphasized the importance of this course, given the dynamics and complexity of the current global security landscape: “The security environment and the international order, born out of World War II, are under stress and continuously suffer the consequences of strategic competition and armed conflicts. The ongoing war in Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East, and other crises have created conditions for Russia and China to increase their malign influence in the Western Balkans, fostering ethnic tensions and hindering Euro-Atlantic progress and integration. It is essential for us to understand the security environment, foster bilateral and regional cooperation, promote stability, and share expertise on defense and security issues." - stated Major General Kingji.

At the conclusion of his address, Major General Kingji expressed his gratitude to the course organizers, the commander, and the staff of the Senior College of Defense and Security for their dedication in establishing the conditions for the successful development of the course.

Brigadier General Ylli Pulaj, commander of the Defense and Security College, also expressed his gratitude to the high institutions of the country and the Armed Forces of NATO countries and beyond for sending participants. He highlighted the key issues covered during the course, where the combination of representatives led to discussions on current topics in the shared defense and security environment and the exchange of opinions and ideas, creating a sustainable network in line with the current security situation. He gave special thanks to participants from Bulgaria, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Romania, Greece, and Turkey for bringing a spirit of mutual cooperation through their work and representation over the three months. He also thanked the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces for their ongoing support in successfully conducting the course.

Colonel Silviu-Vasile Maricas, speaking on behalf of the course participants, thanked the Defense and Security College and the Albanian state for their hospitality, support, and positive approach towards all course members, making this an unforgettable professional and cultural experience. He noted: “The curriculum, rich with current topics from the regional and global environment, the participation of high-ranking representatives from prestigious institutions, as well as experts on civil and military issues from Albania, the USA, and Europe, made this course both attractive and fruitful, contributing to professional development and the achievement of training objectives. The study trips within and outside the country allowed us to closely observe the infrastructure and organization of security mechanisms and to better understand the approach of political and military leadership on various issues. The diverse academic and professional experiences challenged our communication and teamwork skills, fostering mutual understanding. Over the three months, we realized that we share common interests and concerns for security in the region and beyond. Thank you all!”

Fifteen representatives from the Albanian Armed Forces, security institutions in the country, and the militaries of NATO and NATO partner countries participated in this course.

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates and a group photograph.