28.03.2014.
Annual Conference of the European Defence Agency in Brussels
State Secretary Zoran Djordjevic attended the Annual Conference of the European Defence Agency in Brussels.
The Conference discussed the development of defence capabilities under the auspices of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union and the importance of ''Pooling and Sharing'' initiative.Special attention was paid to the role of the European Defence Agency in the implementation of decisions of the European Council meeting held in December last year, related to the need to ensure the four key capabilities: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Air-to-Air Refuelling, cyber defence and satellite communications. In addition to the above contents, the importance of research and innovation to ensure a secure future as well as the place and role of the industrial sector and the market in the development and marketing of arms and military equipment was also reviewed.
The Conference was opened by Claude-France Arnould, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, followed by expose of Greek Defence Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, whose country currently holds the EU presidency. Panelists included Ministers of defence of Norway and Belgium, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Swedish Chief of Defence, as well as eminent representatives of the industry and the academic community. In the concluding part of the Conference the participants were addressed by Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
On the sidelines of the Conference, State Secretary Zoran Djordjevic met with Claude-France Arnould, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, and her deputy Rini Goos. On this occasion, both sides expressed satisfaction with the previous cooperation, and the Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency thanked for the invitation to visit the Republic of Serbia in October this year.
At the Conference, State Secretary Zoran Djordjevic was accompanied by members of the Military Representation in the Mission of the Republic of Serbia to NATO.
