The Ministry of Defence is aware of the increasing importance of scientific research and technological development for Slovenia's defence capabilities, State Secretary at the Defence Ministry Franci Znidarsic told a meeting entitled The Defence Industry in the EU - Challenges and Opportunities for Slovenia at the Pomurski sejem fair in Gornja Radgona on Thursday.
This is reflected in the ministry's plans in which over 5% of all defence expenditure is earmarked for research and development, which is much more than the Lisbon strategy envisages and puts Slovenia on top in Europe. The average in comparable EU and NATO countries is 1.5%, Znidarsic pointed out.
Both Slovenian and foreign experts took part in the discussion, including representatives of the European Defence Agency who presented business opportunities in the framework of defence contracting in the EU.
"Only a few months after a special website was set up for defence purchases, almost two billion euros worth of orders have appeared on it. Our ministry placed its first order several days ago," said Znidarsic.
Alongside cooperation in contracting, the European Defence Agency also offers the opportunity for cooperation in research and technology projects, he added.
The main purpose of the meeting was to make the public and especially representatives of businesses and research organisations aware of the development of the European defence industry, the activities of the European Defence Agency and the business opportunities available to small and medium-sized companies in the EU defence industry.
The meeting was prepared by the Directorate for Logistics at the Ministry of Defence, the Slovenian Army and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University in Ljubljana.
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