The Security and Defence Academy of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, in the framework of the European Initiative for the Exchange of Young Officers and the European Security and Defence College, are organizing under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the annual meeting of the Governors of the Production Schools of the Member States of the European Union as well as the 8th Olympiad of the Common Security and Defence Policy from today until 19 June 2026.
The Official Opening Ceremony will take place today, Monday, June 15, 2026 at 20:00 at the Paphos Ancient Odeon. The ceremony marks the official start of the work of the two important European actions and will be a meeting point for representatives of European institutions, military academies, state authorities and participants from the Member States of the European Union.
Greetings will be addressed on behalf of the President of the Republic of Cyprus by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Mr. Costas Fytiris, the Director of the European Security and Defence College, Mr. Fergal O'Regan, the President of the European Initiative for the Exchange of Young Officers, Colonel Harald Gell, and the Director of the Security and Defence Academy of the Republic of Cyprus, Colonel Symeon Zabas.
At the end of the greetings, the theatrical performance "The Allegory of Plato's Cave" will be presented, a timeless play that highlights the importance of knowledge, education, leadership and the search for truth, while the evening will conclude with a reception at the Medieval Castle of Paphos.
