Commandant‘s visit to Portugal

On 4th of June the Commandant of the Baltic Defence College Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras visited the Institute of Higher Military Studies (IESM), the highest Professional Military Education Institution in Lisbon, Portugal. As well, the Commandant had an opportunity to meet the Chief of General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces General Artur Neves Pina Monteiro.

During the meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Portuguese Armed Forces General Artur Neves Pina Monteiro the Commandant gave a short briefing and introduction of the Baltic Defence College and he took the opportunity to express his appreciation to Portugal for its active support to Baltic region as a part of NATO reassurance measures and Baltic Air policing. Afterwards a detailed discussion about future cooperation in regard to students, guest lecturers, subject matter experts and instructors was held.

The visit to IESM began with a meeting with Lieutenant General Rui Manuel Xavier Fernandes Matias, the Director of IESM and his subordinate directors. The meeting was followed by an outstanding briefing on a composition of IESM, its respective courses, cooperation as well as curriculum.

Meeting with Lieutenant General Rui Manuel Xavier Fernandes Matias, the Director of IESM

A special emphasis was placed on the exercises the Institute is conducting annually, particularly an international exercise called CJEX (Combined Joint European Exercise). It was proposed to BALTDEFCOL to consider the possibility of joining this significant exercise were number of major European Military Colleges are already participating.

Besides the cooperation in exercise area, it was agreed to intensify cooperation between the two institutions in terms of Exchange of experience and best practice, cooperation in research, conferences, seminars, and joint publications, also exchange of students and faculty.

The main objectives of the visit were to get familiar with the structure and capabilities of the Portuguese institute, to enhance cooperation between the two institutions as well as to increase the visibility of BALTDEFCOL.