Representatives from the Ministry of Defence of France visit BBN - News - National Security Bureau

31.01.2013

Representatives from the Ministry of Defence of France visit BBN

On 31 January 2013, Director of the Supreme Authority over the Armed Forces Department, Dr. Lech Konopka and Director of the Strategic Analyses Department, Dr. Kazimierz Sikorski met with representatives from the French Ministry of Defence. The subject of the meeting was bilateral and multilateral security and defense cooperation in Europe, including that in the area of defense industry.

Dr L. Konopka presented the role and main tasks conducted by BBN. He also stressed that France is traditionally an ally of Poland on matters of security and defense. Dr L. Konopka recalled the existing cooperation and mentioned the upcoming projects like the European training mission in the Republic of Mali and the NATO "Steadfast Jazz" exercise.

Director K. Sikorski spoke about the strategic cooperation in Europe and the importance of preparing a strategic action plan. He expressed the hope that France will support Poland in debate on security strategy issues in Europe.

The French representative, Director for Strategy and Director of the General Directorate for Armament, Gen. Jean-Pierre Devaux presented the mission of his institution, which is the developing of strategies - industrial, scientific research, and the development of cooperation with defense industries. He assured, that the Ministry of Defense of France is willing to extend the cooperation with Poland on bilateral and multilateral frameworks and within NATO and the EU. Gen. Devaux said that Poland and France could cooperate on new technologies and  defense industry projects. In the context of modernisation priorities of the  Polish Armed Forces, gen. Devaux said that France could help realize the missile defense and Navy's operational capabilities projects. France also wants to see a higher degree of interoperability within the Weimar Triangle.

The meeting confirmed that Poland and France share interests and will of shaping the European security environment. Development of the defense industries, increasing interoperability and work on the Common Security and Defence Policy could be the areas of cooperation between Poland and France.