Brussels, 20 February 2002
Speaking to two Parliament committees on 19 February, Lord Robertson, the NATO Secretary General increased technology transfer within the EU in order to boost the regions' defence capabilities.
The Parliament's Foreign affairs committee and the Committee on industry, external trade, research and energy heard Lord Robertson say that Europe must modernise its defence capabilities by lifting the barriers to technology transfer and liberalising the arms industry if there is to be a genuine transatlantic partnership.
EU Ambassador to the USA, Günter Burghardt stated that whilst there is clearly a technological gulf between the EU and the USA, the EU has many capabilities in other sectors. He stressed that Europe is a natural strategic partner of the USA.