European Security and Defence College kicks off in Tartu

Yesterday, on 15th April 2013, the Baltic Defence College, in conjunction with the British Joint Services Command and Staff College, played host to the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) in Tartu.

More specifically, the ESDC is running the Third Module of the High Level Course, which teaches participants – military officers, police service personnel and civil servants from across the European continent – about the scope and nature of the European Union’s military and civil operations, undertaken through the Common Security and Defence Policy. The course aims to contribute to the development of a European strategic culture.

On behalf of the Baltic Defence College and British Joint Services Command and Staff College , Maj. Gen. Vitalijus Vaikšnoras opened the Third Module. He was joined by Professor Vytautas Landsbergis, the Lithuanian member of the European Parliament and the first Lithuanian Head of State following independence.

Additional presenters during the morning included Prof. Richard Whitman and Dr. Margarita Seselgyte, from the universities of Kent and Vilnius, respectively, who together provided a refresher on the history and development of the European Union as a strategic actor.

In the afternoon, Ms. Maria Fihl, from the European External Action Service, and Lt. Col. Kristjan Moora, from the Estonian Army, discussed European monitoring operations in Georgia. Prof. Zaneta Ozolina, from the University of Latvia, gave a presentation on Latvia’s position in a European context over dinner in the evening.

The Baltic Defence College and the Joint Services Command and Staff College will play host to the ESDC’s Third Module for the rest of the week.