ASD Convention 2008: “Towards 2050 – a Secure Future”

PARIS --- This years ASD Convention explored how the 2050 horizon should be approached in todays policy debates, in the four domains of air transport, space, defence and security. The Convention, an official event of the French Presidency of the EU, was opened by French Prime Minister Franois Fillon.>> In his speech Mr Fillon emphasised the need to develop a European solution to todays challenges, saying that the building of a European defence policy and the consolidation of a European aerospace industry were at the heart of Frances European project. Mr Fillon also emphasised the importance of R&D for European aerospace and defence industries, and the commitment of the French government to support research activities in these sectors, in particular at the supply chain level.>> The 2008 Convention of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) was co-hosted by GIFAS, the French Association of Aerospace Industries, which is celebrating its centenary this year, and CIDEF, the French Defence Industry Council. The event brought together more than 500 representatives of the European aerospace, defence and security industries.>> Without overly indulging in speculation, participants examined if todays policies are a valid base from which to tackle predictable developments in the mid- and long-term future.