On 29 April Jorge Domecq, the European Defence Agency’s Chief Executive, participated in a CSDP symposium organised by the EU delegation in the US at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, where he spoke on the topic of “Technology, Capabilities and Readiness: The Way Forward”.
In his speech - the full text of which is available on the link below – the EDA Chief Executive stressed that “unlike the United States, there is no single European country that is able to develop, acquire and maintain the full suite of military capabilities single-handedly. That is why cooperation is so crucial”. Talking about the need to bring innovation into defence, topic related to the US Third Offset Strategy, he called on the US authorities “to do it working closely with your European partners in order to be a real partnership not only in the doctrinal or operational matters but also in technological and industrial issues”.
On this occasion he also held talks with Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, Acting Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs in the US State Department, as well as with Keith B. Webster, Director International Cooperation for the Under Secretary of Defense (USD) for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L). He also had a meeting with Fred Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council.
On 28 April, Mr Domecq was the central speaker in a round-table dinner organized by the Atlantic Council with the participation of representatives from US defence industries. In his speech, the EDA Chief Executive highlighted the importance of strengthening the European defence capabilities – be it military, technological or industrial – in order to ensure a credible NATO. In this respect, Mr Domecq outlined the essential role of the EDA.
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