TBILISI, Georgia – The Allied Joint Force Command Naples took part in the annual Military Partnership Coordination Workshop (MPC WS), March 14 – 17, 2016.
The workshop is an annual event organized by the Military Partnership Directorate from Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk/USA and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons/Belgium. Its purpose is to enhance the dialogue between NATO Headquarters and partners. Therefor, the workshop enables NATO and partners to strengthen the relationships for worldwide security and stability through mutual understanding, trust and knowledge. For this time, Georgia has assumed the role of the event's host nation. The JFC Naples' delegation has been led by the Assistant Chief of Staff and Head of the Civil-Military-Cooperation Branch, German Army Brigadier General Reinhard Kloss.
For almost five days, the MPC workshop brought together representatives from Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD), Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) and other NATO global partner nations, and all levels of NATO Headquarters. Throughout the event's intense briefings, panels and bi-lateral meetings, all attendees discussed current security related issues. "The biggest threat to world peace is misunderstanding and miscalculation,” said Allied Command Transformation Chief of Staff, British Air Marshall Graham Stacey.
All scheduled meetings also allowed NATO recognized Centers of Excellence (CoE) and Partner Training and Education Centers (PTECS) to display their wares in a special exhibition.
The JFC Naples' Military Partnership Section Head, French Marine Colonel Vincent Alexandre, was responsible for the bilateral talks with NATO partner countries including the coordination of future activities and engagements. While the successful workshop, gainful contacts with relevant NATO Partnership stakeholders and Partner countries representatives were established and maintained.
Story and photos by Allied Joint Force Command Naples J9 Branch.