31 Jan 2017

This HOMSEC 2017, the Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency, Jorge Domecq, will give a Master Conference in which he will expose the need to enhance the investment in Defence research.

Investigation of security challenges

For the veteran Spanish diplomat, investigating security is essential in a time defined by the challenges the European Union currently faces; i.e. the increasing scepticism about its goals, financial uncertainty, or security threats. On this point, a recent European wide study confirms that the 82% of the respondents prefer a greater involvement of the EU in the fight against terrorism and another 66% want an increased role in the Security and Defence policies.

These facts evidence that Defence is no longer a single factor considered from a national perspective, instead it is intrinsically attached to the Security and the Prosperity of the countries. Moreover, this involves a deeper cooperation in innovation, monitoring resources, investment and technology to handle the new demands coming forward in the future.

EU budget funds research program

This new way of thinking means a revolution within the European Union. For the first time in its history a research program funded with EU budget is being carried. This investment does not replace the efforts in this matter at a national level, but will contribute in the creation of a mass, the interconnection on of European research institutions and, most important, the improvement of the interoperability and the standardisation. In the long term, this progress will contribute to the European competence in providing a credible Security which relies innovative technologies.

Finally, Defence investigation has an impact in the daily life of the citizens, with innovations such as the Internet or the GPS at the time they were born.

As the president of Grupo Atenea, José Luis Cortina, explains “As the main hosts of HOMSEC, we are honoured by the presence of Jorge Domecq at this trade-fair. His experience and professional expertise in the field of Security and Defence will be deciding for the study of the next steps and the future of the sector, at the national and international levels.”

Jorge Domecq is the Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency. He was previously appointed as permanent as ambassador of Spain in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and ambassador in Philippines. He has covered several in the Foreign and Defence Ministries as well as in the NATO.