Second FBC Annual Defence Conference, British Embassy Paris image

Second FBC Annual Defence Conference, British Embassy Paris

Date: 21 March 2012

The 2012 Second Annual Defence Conference was hosted by Sir Peter Ricketts at his Residence in Paris on Wednesday 21 March 2012.   It was a unique occasion to gather high profile policy makers and military officers, CEOs from industry as well as main think tankers and     journalists.

Following a keynote speech by Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, shown left, four small roundtables tackled  the latest issues relating to the bilateral partnership: a balance sheet on the cooperation achieved so far established that the pace was impressive although priorities for the year to come should focus on concrete industry programmes. British participants also questioned  their colleagues on potential prospects for ongoing cooperation with a French socialist government.

On the world stage, Libya was  assessed as a decisive military intervention in terms of interoperability but the lack of political strategy was highlighted and obviously Syria  was not absent from the discussions. From the innovative and sensitive workshop on “We need to talk about Europe”, a frank conversation emerged amongst participants looking ahead to Chicago May 2012 and considering whether France and Britain could go to the NATO  summit with a common approach on Defence within the Alliance.

View the video of the welcome speech of HE Sir Peter Ricketts, Ambassador of Britain to France.
View the video of the opening speech of Peter Luff MP, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.

The report with key recommendations will be circulated shortly.

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