Today at 21:22
The event was announced on the website of the European External Action Service.
“Over 350 representatives from the EU institutions, governments, European and Ukrainian defence industries, industry associations, key partner countries and organisations will gather to strengthen defence industrial cooperation between the EU and Ukraine,” the statement said.
It also noted that he main goal of the conference and a series of working sessions is to strengthen cooperation between European and Ukrainian defence companies to allow Ukraine to gain the necessary capabilities in areas where they need them most, including air defense, missile and drone munitions.
“The EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum is a first, concrete step in the implementation of the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and an important part of EU’s broader support to Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty, freedom and independence against Russia’s war of aggression,” the statement stated.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell, European Commissioner Thierry Breton, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine, and Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshin are among those to attend the event.
Earlier, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen claimed Ukraine would be become much closer to Europein terms of defence cooperation.
“As we look to the future, we must think of Ukraine’s defense capabilities as part of our defense capability. We must think of Ukraine’s defense industry as part of our own defense industry. And this is why we have involved Ukraine in the preparations of our own defense industrial strategy. It is the first step which should lead to integrating Ukraine in some of our defense programs with the agreement of the European Parliament and Council where necessary,” she said at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in February.
