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Marshall Center, Cyprus Security and Defence Academy Formalize Academic Partnership

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Two men seated at a polished conference table face a room of attendees during a signing ceremony. Small flags from Cyprus, the U.S., and Germany sit on the table. Around the room, about a dozen guests—men and women—observe the exchange, seated in armchairs and standing along the wall.
Euro-Atlantic Relations

Marshall Center, Cyprus Security and Defence Academy Formalize Academic Partnership

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany – The Marshall Center officially entered a partnership with the Cyprus Security and Defence Academy (CSDA), laying the foundation for expanded academic cooperation and stronger strategic ties.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, held at the Marshall Center on July 18, 2025, marked the culmination of years of collaboration and dialogue between the two institutions. The agreement establishes a framework for mutual understanding and future engagement in areas such as research, academic exchanges, seminars, and the development of joint educational initiatives.

“This MOU represents a new collaborative relationship, codifying the spirit of cooperation that has already taken root,” said Marshall Center Director Barre Seguin. “It reflects our shared commitment to strengthening European security through education, partnership, and persistent engagement.”

The initiative was first proposed during a Marshall Center alumni event in March 2023 and further developed through continued cooperation, including CSDA participation in Marshall Center courses and a jointly organized workshop in Cyprus focused on whole-of-society responses to misinformation campaigns.  

“The Marshall Center name is getting bigger and bigger in Cyprus,” said Cypriot Col. Symeon Zambas, CSDA director. “Participants from our country have gained valuable experience here, and we look forward to building on this momentum.” 

Thirteen people stand in a semi-circle behind a table with small Cyprus, U.S., and German flags. At the center, two men hold a framed Memorandum of Understanding. Other representatives from the U.S. Embassy, German government, and Marshall Center faculty and staff stand alongside them in formal attire. The setting is a formal office with framed photos, flags, and flower arrangements.

Representatives emphasized the potential for future collaboration through the European Security and Defence College, opening the door for multinational courses and expanded participation from across EU member states.

“This agreement strengthens the bridge between our institutions,” said Bernard Finel, Ph.D., dean of the Marshall Center’s College of International and Security Studies. “It’s a testament to the power of enduring partnerships in promoting regional stability and shared understanding in an evolving security environment.”

Looking ahead, the institutions plan to launch new programs under the MOU framework, including a workshop on hybrid threats in 2026 and engagement with the Marshall Center’s Partner Language Training Center Europe.

In attendance were representatives from the Cyprus Ministry of Defense, the Marshall Center faculty, and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus, and the New Jersey National Guard, which is in a partnership with Cyprus as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. Their presence underscored the significance of long-term security cooperation efforts across bilateral and multilateral lines.