Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, closed TODAY the seminar 'Geopolitical Trends: Where is Europe heading?', conducted by the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies (IEEE) and part of the summer course programme of the Complutense University of Madrid, in El Escorial.
On his arrival at the Real Centro Universitario Escorial 'María Cristina', ESP CHOD was welcomed by the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Cooperation of the Complutense University of Madrid, Dámaso López García, CESEDEN's Director lieutenant general Francisco de Paula Bisbal Pons, and IEEE's Director and Principal of the course, general Francisco Javier Dacoba.
In his speech, admiral Calderón highlighted both the number and the quality of the students, a total of 80 from different areas, as well as the level of the speakers and the high quality contents. He also highlighted the close collaboration between the Armed Forces and the university environment. It should be remarked that the number of attendees was the maximum allowed, in accordance with the sanitary measures in place.
Following this, ESP CHOD outlined the future of European defence, especially regarding Russia, the US-China confrontation and the issues faced by our southern neighbours, concluding that a strong and coordinated Europe will be able to face the different strategic challenges.
Admiral general Calderón has expressed its gratitude to both CESEDEN and the Complutense University of Madrid for the work done during the organisation of this seminar, and all speakers for their dedication and hard work.