MONS, Belgium - A high level contingent from the Republic of Colombia’s General Rafael Reyes Prieto War College visited Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) on Monday, Sep. 11, 2023.
The visit was hosted by SHAPE Partnerships Directorate and led by Director Rear Admiral Gunnstein Bruasdal saw the students briefed on several topics of mutual interest.
“The relevance of cooperation with international organisations, where NATO stands as a key actor not only in deterring threats but also in promoting peace and security at a global level is something we share from the depths of our democratic convictions and guarantors of institutionally,” said Brigadier General Edgar Alexander Salamanca Rodriguez, War College Director.
A high level contingent from the Republic of Colombia’s General Rafael Reyes Prieto War College are briefed during a visit to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe on Monday, Sep. 11, 2023
“The participation of the Colombian military forces as a Non-member Global Partner gives us the possibility to share experiences and knowledge, creating spaces that can strengthen our own defence and security capabilities. This collaboration makes it possible to potentiate interactions that result in the maintenance of peace and stability on the globe,” he added.
"The relationship with NATO can provide a framework for intelligence sharing, joint training, and the promotion of international security and human rights standards. This will strengthen the professionalisation of our Armed Forces and its capacity to face transnational threats, such as terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks and environmental deterioration, in a framework of mutual respect, shared benefit with absolute prevalence of national sovereignty," said Brigadier General Edgar Alexander Salamanca Rodriguez.
At the end of November 2023 the Operational Capabilities Concept Evaluation and Feedback programme will work with a Colombian Infantry Battalion in Tolemaida, Colombia to further conduct evaluation activities.