International Relations
The National Defense College carries out an extensive activity of international cooperation with similar institutions from the partner states. `The College is an active partner in the field of international cooperation. Institutional involvement takes various forms, from supporting international partnerships to signing bilateral agreements with various institutions. The College supports the promotion of cooperation with NATO and EU states, as well as with states with similar security visions, in order to strengthen the regional and Euro-Atlantic security culture.
With a view to achieving the western quality and performance standards in preparing the Romanian civil and military elites in the field of security and defence, the international activity of the National Defence College is focused on five main directions:
1. Permanent cooperation with similar Western Institutions, especially from NATO and EU member states.
- The National Defense College (NDC) has traditionally maintained close institutional ties with the NATO Defense College in Rome. The leadership of NDC and the students from the postgraduate program "Current issues of national security" had the opportunity to participate in the modular course "Centers of Power" organized in Rome in 2019.
- NDC is a member of the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), where it plays an active part. Some of the most important international cooperation projects are the organization of the "Orientation Course", held in Brussels in 2017, 2019, 2020 and of a module of the "High Level Course" held in Bucharest in 2019.- Also, in order to modernize the educational process, NDC cooperates permanently with "George C. Marshall" European Center for Security Studies. In 2018 and 2019 the students of the National Defense College have the opportunity to participate in the course "Eastern European Security", held in Gamisch- Partenkirchen.
CSDP Orientation Course from 3 to 7 May 2021- Romanian National Defence College and the National College of Home Affairs
Virtual CSDP Orientation Course from 3 to 7 May 2021, at the Romanian National Defence College
During 03-07.05.2021, the participants in the postgraduate program "Current Issues in National Security" attended the Orientation Course in "Common Security and Defense Policy", organized in online format, by the The Romanian National Defence College, in cooperation with the National College of Home Affairs and under the auspices of the European Security and Defense College in Brussels.
We were honored by the presence of Her Excellency Mrs. Luminița Teodora Odobescu, Permanent Representative of Romania to the European Union, who addressed the welcome speech in the opening of the activity.
During the five days, the 63 students, under the coordination of the head of the National Defense College, colonel Doina Mureșan, had the opportunity to interact with experts from various EU structures such as: the European External Action Service, European Union Military Staff, the European Defense Agency, The Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability, European Union Satellite Center, European Union Intelligence and Situation Center, Egmont Royal Institute, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The participation in this activity reconfirmed the position of the Romanian Army as an active partner in the development of cooperation in the field of defense and military education, in accordance with the latest trends of the Common Security and Defense Policy.
April 19-23, 2021: Special Seminar in Regional Security organized, in virtual format, at the National Defense College, in partnership with George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies
Between 19th and 23rd of April, 2021, a „Special Seminar in Regional Security” was organized at the National Defense College / National Defense University „Carol I", in partnership with George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.
During the nine sessions, held over the five days, the following topics were addressed: " Whither Ukraine?”, „Turkey as a Regional Actor”, „Regional Security and Great Power Competition", „Contemporary Warfare", "NATO ", „European Union ", „Russia in an Era of Great Power Competition ", „China: The Belt and Road Initiative and Shanghai Cooperation Organization".
The lecturers were experts in the field of security from George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and guests from other universities and international organizations.
By this seminar, the National Defense College / National Defense University „Carol I", proves its connectivity to the international academic community and participates in the dynamics of current security changes.
- Aiming at a better understating of the regional problems and at the promotion of the democratic principles and of the European security criteria NDC has undertaken frequent bilateral exchange relations with national defence colleges from Pakistan, Jordan Israel, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Turkey.
- Conference on "Western Balkans" (France), "Russian energy sector and the need for natural resources" (Austria), "Global terrorism" (Israel), "Central European Military Education Forum" (Czech Republic), NATO conference "Bucharest and beyond" (USA), "Black Sea Security Policy" (Germany), "Global security and Resilience" (Germany).
- With a view to increase the quality and efficiency of the teaching process, The National Defence College has carried out mutual visits and exchanges of experience with the Royal Institute for Defense Studies in Belgium, Innere Fuhrung Center in Strausberg / Germany, Armed Forces Training Center in Slovenia, Military Academy of Slovakia, Bulgarian General Staff, National Security Academy of Turkey, National Defense College of the Netherlands, Greek National Defense College of Greece, Royal National Defense College of Jordan, National Defense College of Israel, Military College of The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan.
- In order to better understand how the main international security institutions are organized, how they operate and the current problems they face, NDC organizes study and documentation visits abroad. The students have had the opportunity to participate in security briefings at the NATO Headquarters, the European Parliament and the EU Council in Brussels, at the SHAPE headquarters in Mons, at the National Defense University in Washington, at the NATO Defense College in Rome and at the "George C. Marshall" European Center for Security Studies in Gamisch-Partenkirchen.
- In order to ensure a high quality level of the educational process, NDC invites foreign lecturers who deliver presentations to students in the training program modules. The guest lecturers who have stood out through very well-documented and extremely interesting lectures come from prestigious educational institutions in the USA, France, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Israel, Greece, China or from various NATO and EU agencies.
- In the future, The National Defense College intends both to continue and develop its ongoing cooperation programs, and to expand and diversify its international relations while enhancing the quality of the education.
Week of the foreign military attachés at the National Defence College
Between 05 and 09 December 2022, National Defense College organized the "Week of the foreign military attachés in Romania”, module attended by the course members of “Security and Good Governance" and "National Security Policies and Strategies" study programs.
Thus, on December 6, Lieutenant-Colonel Sylvain Guibord, Canada's defense attaché in Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Bulgaria, presented to the students the policy, structure, missions and capabilities of the Canadian armed forces.
The defense attaché of France, Colonel Daniel Parpaillon, delivered a presentation on December 7 on the topic of the French perspective on the current international security environment, with an emphasis on bilateral relations between France and Romania.
On Friday, December 9, Colonel Kenneth Gjone, director of the Office for Defense Cooperation (ODC) gave a talk on the subject of the efforts of the United States of America to strengthen both cooperation and bilateral relations with Romania and the North Atlantic Alliance.
The presentations delivered by the guests contributed to ensuring a better understanding of the security situation and of aspects of bilateral defense cooperation between Romania and the allied states.
On October 18, 2022, commander Matthew Nelson, the defense attaché of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Romania, had a working meeting with the head of the National Defense College, colonel Marius – Silviu Tofan.
During this meeting that took place at the headquarters of our institution, commander Nelson was presented the National Defense College, with an emphasis on postgraduate programs and on the international activities carried out by this structure. The discussions were aimed at identifying opportunities to expand international cooperation in the field of education and scientific research between the National Defense College and institutions with a similar profile in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
On the 4th of October 2022, the National Defence College continued their activities meant to deepen the cooperation with similar educational institutions from allied countries. Thus, the head of the National Defense College, colonel Marius-Silviu TOFAN, was honored by the visit of the defense attaché of the French Republic to Bucharest, colonel Daniel PARPAILLON
During the meeting, the officers discussed topics such as the more than one hundred years old tradition of cooperation between Romania and France and the identification of opportunities to enhance this collaboration also in the field of military education, especially between the National Defense College and similar institutions in the French Republic.
On the 3rd of October 2022, colonel Marius-Silviu TOFAN, head of the National Defence College, met the U.S. Defense Attaché in Bucharest, colonel Keith A. DERBENWICK, who was accompanied by the head of the Defence Cooperation, colonel Kenneth GJONE and his deputy, lieutenant colonel Jesse ALLGEYER.
This working meeting included the presentation of the institution and of the postgraduate study programs organized within this structure, as well as constructive discussions aimed at identifying opportunities to deepen the cooperation in the field of military education between the National Defense College and similar institutions in the United States of America. The topics addressed during the activity and the openness shown by the partners during the discussions led us to believe that the premises for implementing good cooperation relations between parties have been created.
