Opening of the 3e International Session for the Balkans and South-East Europe

Published on :

6 March 2023
On Monday 6 March 2023, Lieutenant General Benoît Durieux, Director of the Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale (IHEDN), and Mr Jérôme Bresson, Deputy Director of the Directorate for Security and Defence Cooperation (DCSD), opened the 3rd International Session for the Balkans and South-East Europe (SIB), which the IHEDN organises every two years in partnership with the DCSD.

This session, punctuated by ten plenary lectures, a visit to a manufacturer's facilities and committee work, has as its theme: "Faced with shared threats, a new commitment from France and the EU in the Western Balkans". The aim is to raise awareness of French defence and security policies among 39 students from 14 countries in South-East Europe and the Western Balkans, as well as from international organisations, and to help create a common strategic culture in Europe. The region shares concerns with France and the European Union about cyber security, organised crime, migration and foreign influences.

This session is part of a series of recurring dialogue activities with the Western Balkans and South-East Europe. A "Balkans Strategic Dialogue" is due to be held in 2023.