Visit by General Mikhail Kostarakos, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee

On 7th of April 2017 the Commandant MG Andis Dilāns, accompanied by Chief of Staff Col Axel Pfaffenroth, Dean Col (ret.) Zdzislaw Śliwa and Lecturer Defence and Cyber Studies Dr Kristina Prišmantaitė welcomed Gen Mikhail Kostarakos, Chairman of EU Military Committee (CEUMC) along with LTC (GS) Ireneusz Gilka, Special Assistant, and Maj Georgios Kalogeras, ADC.

The entourage consisted of CDRE Igor Schvede, EST Military Representative to NATO and EU, MajMeelis Vilippus, Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) Headquaters (HQ), Chief of International Co-operation Section, MAJ Liis Kannel, EDF HQ, Protocol Section and Mrs Maret Anderson, EDF HQ, Protocol Section.

General Kostarakos had an office call with Major General Dilans followed by a briefing providing an overview of the College history, mission, courses and research activities. During discussion, General Kostarakos expressed willingness to cooperate closer with BALTDEFCOL and to include the College staff expertise into education within European Security and Defence College.

After the briefing, General Kostarakos delivered a lecture to the students of the Higher Command Studies Course 2017 and Joint Command and General Staff Course 2016/2017 on “Shaping European Union's Security and Defence Identity”. The briefing was very informative explaining current developments with EU toward enhancing common security, presenting current operations abroad and was very helpful to understand better relations between NATO and EU.