The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, with His Majesty the King, during the closing ceremony of the 26th Armed Forces Staff Course
At the closing ceremony of the 26th Armed Forces Staff Course at CESEDEN, presided over by His Majesty King Felipe VI, the Minister for Defence advocated the role of Spain and its Armed Forces "as a serious, reliable ally that fulfils its commitments."
"As a great country, Spain wants to have the best relations with all its partners and allies, but does not accept lessons from anyone," said Minister Robles at the closing ceremony of the event in which 144 students, 27 of them from allied and friendly countries, graduated as staff officers with the aim of becoming command advisors.
The Minister for Defence told the new graduates, "the best representation of the present and future of our Armed Forces," is that they are "a true source of pride in Spain and abroad," because their commitment is "incontrovertible and a reason for gratitude for all our friends and allies."
"The Spanish Armed Forces are, without a doubt, among the best, in terms of conviction, preparation, efficiency, dedication and humanity," said Robles, adding that they also enjoy the affection of all Spanish citizens, and are the most highly valued institution.
Prior to the presentation of the diplomas, the King held the traditional audience with the course's top student, Army Commander Álvaro Guzmán, to whom he decorated, and awarded the most distinguished student from friendly and allied countries to Lieutenant Colonel Ian Lewis, from the United Kingdom.
In this edition, 27 foreign students from 20 countries completed "the most demanding course of the Centro Superior de Estudios de la Defensa Nacional," in the words of its director, Lieutenant General Miguel Ballenilla. The United States is the most represented country with three graduates, followed by Mexico, Peru, France, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, with two students each.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón; the Secretary of State and Director of the CNI, Esperanza Casteleiro; and the Undersecretary of Defence, Adoración Mateos, attended the event, among other high-ranking military and civilian officials.
Programme
The purpose of the Armed Forces General Staff Course (CEMFAS) is to train career military personnel to carry out advisory and support tasks for senior management in the higher and executive bodies of the Ministry of Defence and the international organisations of which Spain is a member, as well as the specific and combined specific, joint and combined general staffs.
The course lasts one academic year and consists of four phases: Basic, National Defence and Operations Planning, Specific (for each of the Armies and the Guardia Civil) and Application.
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