Addressing the overall objectives of the EU Maritime Security Strategy, as outlined above, the course on ‘The Challenges of Securing Maritime Areas for the European Union: A focus on the Eastern Mediterranean area’ was successfully organised between 14 and 16 May in Larnaca, Cyprus by the Cyprus Security and Defence Academy (CSDA) and the French Institute for Higher National Defence Studies (IHEDN), under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College.
The course brought together a diverse audience of experts in the field along with a number of keynote speakers and distinguished guests, including MEP Mr Costas Mavrides, Ms Raouna Marilena, Cyprus Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ms Salina Grenet-Catalano, French Ambassador to CY, Mr Sylvain Berger, Diplomat and Director of International Affairs at the IHEDN and Mr Amr Hamza, Ambassador of Egypt to CY. The aim was to address the challenges of maritime issues for the European Union from a general perspective, with a focus on the Eastern Mediterranean region.
The course sparked debate and discussion among the speakers and the audience, as well as fruitful networking between participants. In an additional session, the Deputy Commander of the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) arranged a tour of the Operations Center, which is currently coordinating the maritime corridor for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Outside the Mediterranean area, yet closely aligned with maritime challenges and EU interests, there were also briefings from EU operation ASPIDES, operating in the Red Sea.
The course culminated in a visit to the French frigate SURCOUF, where participants were given a tour of the vessel and provided with an explanation of practical maritime challenges and the award of the course certificates.
The cooperation between the Cyprus CSDA and the French IHEDN resulted in an excellent course, as evident in both the successful organisation of the course and the positive feedback received. This prompted the announcement that both training institutions would cooperate once again next year in delivering the next iteration of the course, this time in France.
