EDA Annual Conference

Brussels - 31 January 2012

EDA holds today its annual conference, under the theme "Refocusing Defence: European perspective on Defence cooperation in a time of financial challenge".

Some 350 senior representatives from governments, parliaments, EU institutions, industry and think tanks take part in this active discussion on how can defence cooperation overcome the austerity challenge.

Ms. Catherine Ashton, Head of the European Defence Agency, opened this full day debate, by saying "the issues that you will be debating here are important. Economic and financial austerity is a challenge we cannot duck; it is one we must confront and overcome. The only way to do so is through cooperation." Highlighting the need for more cooperation, Ms. Ashton said "the agency has already generated impressive results; in particular, its work to turn the Pooling and Sharing concept into a reality."

Extracts of the morning keynote speeches, including Ms. Catherine Ashton, Head of EDA, Mr. Pieter de Crem, Minister for Defence, Belgium, General Stéphane Abrial, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, NATO, and Mr. Klaus Eberhardt, President of ASD and Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall AG, will be broadcasted on EBS+ at 3 p.m (Brussels time).