I N V I T A T I O N T O T H E

European Union Military Academies Commandants ’ Seminar

Pafos, Cyprus, 15 - 17 June 2026 (Activity number 25-26/EMILYO/EUMACS/1)

Dear Rectors, Commandants and Commanders,

The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union is pleased to invite you to

participate in the European Union Military Academies Commandants’ Seminar, which will take place

in Pafos, Cyprus, from 15 to 18 June 2026. Furthermore, on 17th June 2026, the European Air Force

Academies Commandants’ Conference (EUAFA CC 2025) will take place.

Both events are organised by the Cyprus Security and Defence Academy (CSDA), within the

framework of the European Initiative on the Exchange of Young Officers (inspired by Erasmus –

EMILYO) in the context of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) and under the auspices

of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Seminar will feature a series of presentations, debates, and the latest insights into

enhancing international cooperation among higher education military institutions. A dedicated

sessions on Lessons Learnt from Ukraine and Artificial Intelligence will be held during the event.

The event will take place at the Aliathon Resort Hotel. The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of

the EU has pre-arranged adequate number of rooms in three hotels (5* Almyra, 5* Annabelle, and 4*

Aliathon) in Pafos. However, participants have the choice to book any other hotel near those three.

Transportation will be provided to and from the official airports, hotels, and event venues

throughout the seminar. Please note that travel and accommodation costs remain the responsibility

of the sending institutions. Further details regarding the itinerary and registration process will follow.

Please do not hesitate to contact the points of contact for this activity: Mr. Christoforos

Christoforou ([email protected]) and Mr. Andreas Patsalides

([email protected]).

We look forward to welcoming the delegations, consisting of two members (1+1), to the

beautiful city of Pafos.

Annexes

Annex A. Tentative Programme

Annex B. Administrative Information

Colonel Harald GELL

signed in the original

Chairman of the

Implementation Group of

EMILYO

Colonel (A) Symeon ZAMBAS

signed in the original

Director of the Cyprus Security

and Defence Academy

(CSDA)

Mr Fergal Ó REGAN

signed in the original

Head of the European Security

and Defence College

(ESDC)

Annex A

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME

Sunday, 15 June 2026

All Day Arrivals – Transport to the Hotels (meeting point at Airport’s CY Presidency desk)

Monday, 15 June 2026

NLT 15:00 Arrivals – Transport to the Hotels (meeting point at Airport’s CY Presidency desk)

18:45 – 19:00 Transport from the Hotel to Ancient Roman Odeon

19:00-20:30 Opening Ceremony

20:30-22:30 Icebreaker

22:30 Transport to the Hotel

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

09:00-09:30 Registration

09:30-10:00 Opening Remarks

10:00-10:15 Family Photo

10:15-12:30 EUMACS Plenary

12:30-14:00 Lunch

14:00-17:00 Workshop on Disinformation in the Era of Permacrisis

19:30-22:00 Official Dinner

22:00 Return to the Hotel

Wednesday, 17 June 2026

09:00-12:00

In parallel:

• European Union Air Force Commandant’s Conference

• Army Commandants’ Workshop

• Navy Commandants’ Workshop

12:00-13:00 EUMACS Closing Ceremony

13:00-14:30 Lunch

14:30-15:00 Transfer to Paphos Archaeological Park

15:00-19:30 Cultural visit: Tombs of the Kings and the Pafos Mosaics (House of Dionysos)

Visit to Cyprus traditional winery

19:30-21:30 Hosted dinner in a traditional Cypriot Tavern

21:30 Return to the Hotel

Thursday, 18 June 2026

All Day Departures – Transport to the Airport

Annex B

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

The present information is provided for preliminary briefing purposes. Following the selection of

participants, a detailed Practical Information Note (PIN) will be circulated in due course, containing

comprehensive guidance and instructions, including the procedures required for registration in the

Presidency-related systems, as the activity is organised under the auspices of the Cyprus

Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (January – June 2026)

is pleased to invite you to participate European Union Military Academies Commandants Seminar,

which will take place in Pafos, Cyprus, from 15 to 18 June 2026. Furthermore, on 17th June 2026, the

European Air Force Academies Commandants’ Conference (EUAFA CC 2025) will take place.

These events are organised by the Cyprus Security and Defence Academy (CSDA), within the

framework of the European Initiative on the Exchange of Young Officers (inspired by Erasmus –

EMILYO) and under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).

Participants: Rectors, Commandants and Commanders (plus 1)

Registration & Deadline: Participants are kindly requested to register by filling in the

"Registration Form" before 01 April 2026 using the following link:

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/EUMACS-2026

This event is held under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Following this

registration, you will receive an email from the Presidency after 6 April. This email will include a

Practical Information Note (PIN) and a link to the NOVENTO application, along with an access code.

You will need these to provide your remaining administrative details, such as travel arrangements,

transportation requests, and accommodation.

Note: Please do not book flights and accommodation before receiving confirmation of

registration.

Language: Working language is English

Course Venue and Accommodation: The event will take place at the Aliathon Resort Hotel.

The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU has pre-arranged adequate number of rooms in three

hotels (5* Almyra, 5* Annabelle, and 4* Aliathon) in Pafos. However, participants have the choice to

book any other hotel near those three.

More details regarding the venue, the accommodation options and the transportation from

the airport to the hotel, will be communicated at a later stage to the registered participants within the

Practical Information Note (PIN) mentioned above.

Transportation: The Cyprus Presidency and the hosts will provide airport transfers and ground

transportation during the event.

Arrival/departure: participants are expected to arrive in Pafos before Monday 15 16:00 June

2026. The EUMACS will start with the Opening Ceremony on Monday 15 June 2026 at 19:00 and finish

on Wednesday 18 June 2026 at 17:00. The departure day is 18 June 2026.

The legal points of entry to the Republic of Cyprus are the international airports of Larnaca and

Paphos and the ports of Larnaca, Limassol, Latsi and Paphos, which are situated in the area under the

effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Entry to the territory of the Republic of

Cyprus via any other port or airport in the area of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic

does not exercise effective control (Turkish occupied area) is illegal.

Costs: Travel and accommodation costs remain the responsibility of the sending institutions.

Meals: Will be covered by the organizers.

Social events: An icebreaker, hosted by the Cyprus Presidency, will take place during the first

day after the Opening Ceremony of the 8th CSDP Olympiad and EUMACS (Monday, 15 June 2026). An

Official Dinner hosted by the Cyprus Presidency on 16 June 2026.

Dress Code: Opening/closing ceremony, Icebreaker: Best Uniform/Business Attire

Official Dinner: Smart casual

EUMACS: Military service uniform/Business (civilian personnel)

Liabilities and Insurance: In case of medical emergencies, the costs shall be covered by the

participant’s medical insurance provided by the sending country/organisation. The organisers do not

provide health or accident insurance for participants taking part in the event.

Cultural Visit: On the afternoon of June 17th, a hosted visit to the Pafos Archaeological Site

will take place. Participants will have the opportunity to explore the Tombs of the Kings and the Pafos

Mosaics (House of Dionysos), which date back to the 4th century BC. Dress code Civilian, leisure

Points of Contact:

Ministry of Defence/Cyprus Security & Defence Academy:

Captain Andreas PATSALIDES

(office: +357 22807512, email: [email protected])

European Security and Defence College:

Major Christoforos CHRISTOFOROU

(mobile: +32 460 84 2591, email: [email protected])