On 27 November 2018, an EDTA received the prestigious European CiDAN award from Professor Ian Mircea Pascu MEP (vice-president of the European Parliament) at the Berlin Security Conference. As Jan Wind, president of EDTA, could not attend, Philip Leclerq took the honours. Mr Leclerq represents one of EDTA's member associations: the French engineering association CAIETA
CiDAN award
The CiDAN award is organised annually by 'Civisme Défense Armées Nation' (CiDAN) in cooperation with the European Inter-Parliamentary Association for Security and Defence and supported by the German media group 'Behörden Spiegel'. A jury, consisting of MEPs and delegates from the European Military Staff (EUMS), decides who will be awarded the 'European Industrial and Technological Base' prize.
In all cases, it recognises outstanding achievements in promoting European citizenship and awareness of European security and defence. The award was first presented in 2011 under the High Protection of the President of the European Council.
Contribution to political debate on European defence policy
EDTA received the award specifically for its contribution to the political debate on European defence policy. These contributions consist, on the one hand, of selecting and submitting studies and reports on defence-related technologies and military capabilities indicating both opportunities and limitations. In addition, the EDTA asks questions and comments on new, defence-related policies proposed and implemented by the European Commission.
Berlin Security Conference
The Berlin Security Conference provides space for European foreign and defence ministers, senior military authorities and leading companies within the defence industry to discuss the future of European defence cooperation.
EDTA
The EDTA - Federation of European Defence Technology Assocations - was founded in 1992 on the initiative of the ministers of the then 'Independent European Planning Group' (IEPG). The federation aims to strengthen cooperation and professional relations among its members. This is done by exchanging information, promoting conferences and stimulating public interest in the defence industry and technology. EDTA is particularly active n the defence technology and industrial defence sector.
The federation's 11 member associations are spread across 10 countries, representing a total of more than 6,000 individual and 400 corporate members across Europe. More information can be found at: www.fedta.eu
