REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A New Deal for European Defence Implementation Roadmap for Communication COM (2013) 542; Towards a more competitive and efficient defence and security sector
Date: 2014-06-24
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European security, application of EU law, armed forces, award of contract, common foreign and security policy, competitiveness, research and development, security of supply, small and medium-sized enterprises













EUR-Lex - 52014DC0387 - EN











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52014DC0387

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS A New Deal for European Defence Implementation Roadmap for Communication COM (2013) 542; Towards a more competitive and efficient defence and security sector /* COM/2014/0387 final */









1.      Introduction
In
July 2013, the Commission put forward the Communication “Towards a more
competitive and efficient defence and security sector” COM (2013) 542 as a
contribution to the European Council of December 2013. It also announced a
detailed roadmap with concrete actions and timelines for the areas defined in that
Communication. The present report fulfils this commitment. 
The
European Council, in its Conclusions of December 2013 which also endorsed the
25th November 2013 Council Conclusions, welcomed the Communication
and decided to review progress in all relevant areas in June 2015. The Commission
takes the European Council Conclusions as the basis to pursue the following objectives:


 an
     Internal Market for Defence where European companies can operate freely
     and without discrimination in all Member States; 
 an
     EU-wide security of supply regime where armed forces can be sure to be
     sufficiently supplied in all circumstances no matter in which Member State
     their suppliers are established; 
 a
     Preparatory Action on CSDP-related research to explore the potential of a
     European research programme which, in the future, may cover both security
     and defence.  This is in addition to exploiting all possible synergies
     between existing civil and defence  research; and
 an
     industrial policy which fosters competitiveness of European defence industries
     and helps to deliver at affordable prices all the capabilities Europe needs to guarantee its security.

To
pursue these objectives, this Report establishes a roadmap for the activities set
out in the Communication. It includes a broad variety of actions from different
policies, which are nevertheless often interrelated: improving security of
supply between Member States, for example, will facilitate cross-border market
access for defence companies; better standardisation will foster
interoperability and market openness; common certification will reduce costs
and enhance industry’s competiveness, etc. Taken together, all these actions
will contribute to making the European defence and security sector more
efficient and thereby strengthen the Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy
(CSDP)[1].

Both
for the development and the implementation of these actions the Commission will
cooperate closely with Member States, the European External Action Service
(EEAS) and the European Defence Agency (EDA). This includes regular meetings at
strategic level to follow the implementation of the roadmap as whole, and
consultations at technical level for specific actions. In parallel, the Commission
will continue to inform Member States regularly via relevant Council bodies,
Defence Policy Directors and the EDA. European Parliament and industry will
also be consulted on a regular basis. 
The
European Council recognised the need for greater European defence co-operation,
in full complementarity with NATO. Through the implementation of the
Communication, the Commission will contribute to a robust industrial foundation
for this co-operation.
2.      Roadmap
2.1     Internal
Market
Market
monitoring 
Market
monitoring is crucial both to ensure the correct application of the Defence
Procurement Directive 2009/81/EC and to evaluate the Directive’s impact. It is
also important to measure the progress of the Commission’s industrial policy in
this sector.
Approach
and deliverables
The
Commission will assess systematically procurement published in the EU’s Tenders
Electronic Daily (TED) and statistical reports sent by Member States. This
includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis. In parallel, the Commission
will monitor defence and security procurement not published in TED, inter alia
through the specialised press and information provided by market operators. 
These
activities will help to ensure the correct application of Directive 2009/81/EC.
They will also prepare the basis for the report on its implementation that the
Commission has to send to the European Parliament and the Council by August
2016.[2]
In this report, the Commission will evaluate to what
extent “the objectives of this Directive have been achieved with regard to
the functioning of the internal market and the development of a European
defence equipment market and a European Defence Technological and Industrial
Base, having regard, inter alia, to the situation of small and medium-sized
enterprises…”
Clarification
of certain exclusions 
Correct
use of the exclusions from the scope of Directive 2009/81/EC is crucial for its
effectiveness. In this context, government-to-government sales (Article 13.f) and
purchases under international agreements (Article 12.a) and via international
organisations (Article 12.c) are particularly relevant since they concern
important parts of the market. 
Approach
and deliverables 
Government-to-Government
sales: In December 2013 the Commission has
started a fact-finding exercise on government-to-government sales in Europe. As the next step, the Commission will organise two workshops with Member States in
autumn 2014. On this basis the Commission will develop a guidance note on the
use of the exclusion. Target date for finalising this note is early 2015.
International
arrangements and organisations: Work on this clarification
will start in 2015 and follow the same approach. It will be complemented by
direct discussions with NSPA (NATO Support Agency) and OCCAR (Organisation for
Joint Armament Cooperation). Target date for finalising this guidance note is
end 2015.
Offsets

Requirements
for economic compensations, no matter how they are labelled, stand in contrast
to both EU Treaty principles and effective procurement methods. The Commission is
working towards the rapid phasing out of this practice and to promote other,
non-discriminatory measures to facilitate cross-border market access for SMEs.
Approach
and deliverables
For
several years, the Commission has worked with Member States on the revision of
national offset rules. This work was done in parallel to the transposition of
the Defence Procurement Directive and continues with those Member States which
have not yet revised their offset legislation. In parallel the Commission will closely
monitor Member States procurement practice and intervene, when necessary, to
prevent unjustified discriminatory requirements.
The
Commission will also promote alternatives to offsets for facilitating
cross-border market access of SME. To achieve this objective, the Commission
organised in February 2014 a workshop with stakeholders. This dialogue will
continue. In this context, the Commission envisages creating an ad hoc Advisory
Group with Member States and industry (system integrators and SMEs) to identify
options for promoting cross-border supply chains. The Commission will also
specifically monitor the application of the provisions on subcontracting of
Directive 2009/81/EC. Initiatives on how to improve market access for SME may be
put forward to the European Council in June 2015.
Security
of supply
Security
of Supply is crucial both for the effectiveness of armed forces and the
well-functioning of the Internal Market. It is a broad concept which can cover
a wide range of different industrial, technological, legal and political
aspects. 
Approach
and deliverables
Roadmap
for a comprehensive EU-wide Security of Supply regime:
In line with the Communication and the request of the European Council “to
develop with Member States and in cooperation with the High Representative and
the European Defence Agency a roadmap for a comprehensive EU-wide Security of
Supply regime”, the Commission will:
a)     
Take stock of areas which should be
covered by such a regime and existing security of supply instruments;
b)     
Extensively consult Member States;
c)     
Identify possible actions in the areas
of: 1) supply between Member States; 2) supply of Member States from third
countries and 3) control of industrial and technological assets in the EU,
which are all key elements for a comprehensive security of supply regime.  
The
roadmap will be finalised for the European Council in June 2015, in parallel to
the following actions: 
Defence
transfers: Directive 2009/43 introduced a licensing
system to facilitate the movement of defence products within the Internal
Market. In January 2014, the Commission launched a study on how to promote the
uptake of the Directive’s main instruments (general licences and certification
of defence firms), amongst national authorities and industry. As a first step,
the Commission extended the scope of the Certider database[3] to enable
Member States to better inform stakeholders on certified enterprises and
general licences issued. The Commission will propose further measures to
strengthen the implementation of the Directive on the basis of the results of a
study which are expected in July 2014.
A
more comprehensive evaluation of the Directive will be launched early 2015.
This will form the basis for the report on the implementation of the Directive
which the Commission has to send to the European Parliament and the Council by
June 2016.
Control
of assets: In defence and security, the control of
industrial and technological assets can be crucial for the security of supply
of critical capabilities. Some Member States have mechanisms to control
investments in this sector. Yet a merely national approach may hinder both the
cross-border cooperation of industry and the opening up of Member States’
defence markets to EU-wide competition. A European approach may therefore be
needed to deepen the Internal Market. It may also be required to ensure an
appropriate level of European autonomy in defence and security. 
On
this background, the Commission will issue a Green Paper on possible shortfalls
of the current system for the control of assets and explore options for EU-wide
action, including mechanisms of notification and consultation between Member
States. The target date for the adoption of the Green Paper is the end of this
year.
The
Commission intends to involve stakeholders from the very beginning and widely consult
them already for the preparation of the Green Paper. 
2.2     Promoting
a more competitive defence industry
Standardisation
and Certification
The
Commission is supporting the EDA to develop a common approach to
standardisation and certification. This must be done in agreement with Member
States taking full account of national sovereignty and ensuring no duplication
with NATO.
Approach
and deliverables
Standardisation:          the
EDA, in consultation with the Commission, is preparing a new process for
developing defence and hybrid standards in Europe, linking existing national,
European and international (e.g. NATO) standardisation mechanisms in a
structured and non-bureaucratic way. This methodology is based on a proactive
approach using national experts, who monitor developments in European defence
standardisation and make recommendations to tackle specific issues as they
arise. The Commission is contributing to this process through its expertise in
civil standardisation. 
The
Commission will also identify common standards that can support European
projects in specific areas. For example, in the Common Information Sharing
Environment (CISE) for the EU maritime domain (discussed in section 2.4) common
standards will establish a common data model necessary to ensure effective
communication between different national maritime surveillance information
systems.
Certification:   the
Commission in conjunction with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will
continue to support the EDA and the Member States in the harmonisation of
military airworthiness requirements in order to achieve, as far as possible,
convergence of military certification system with the applicable civil
requirements. The Commission together with EASA will continue to encourage the
use of the civil experience and standards of EASA in the process of
certification of military products, in cooperation with EDA and Member States.
With
a view to reducing costs and avoiding duplication, and to facilitate the joint
operation of civil and military aircraft in non-segregated airspace, EASA could
be entrusted with the common European civil certification of certain military
products where manufactures and Member States so desire, while Member States
will continue to be responsible for the certification of the military systems
on board. 
The
Commission, in coordination with EASA, will, on the basis of requests from the
industry, define some pilot cases for involvement of EASA into civil
certification of dual-use products leading to a more cost-efficient and more
simplified approach, such as certain Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS),
that represent an increasingly important part of future aircraft
products[4]. 
Steps towards such an approach will be based on a feasibility analysis to examine
the resources implications for EASA as well as legal and safety aspects arising
from split responsibilities between civil/EU and military/national authorities.
Raw
Materials
Access
to raw materials is an increasing challenge for the European economy. This is
being addressed by the EU raw materials strategy which includes the recently
revised list of critical raw materials[5].
Approach
and deliverables
Many
of these materials, like the rare earth elements and germanium, are also essential
inputs for defence-related applications (such as laser targeting). The Commission
will therefore screen raw materials that are critical for the defence sector. This
analysis will be undertaken by the Commission's Joint Research Centre in close
cooperation with the EDA and industry. It is expected to be finalised by
mid-2015 and may pave the way for possible future policy actions in this area.
SMEs,
clusters & regions
The
European Council highlighted the importance of supporting regional networks of
SMEs and strategic clusters. The Commission will put measures in place to
support these objectives. 
Approach
and deliverables
Work
in this area will be done in close co-ordination with the SME-related
activities announced under the Internal Market chapter of this report.  The Commission
will use its Enterprise Europe Network and the European Strategic Cluster
Partnerships, funded under its COSME[6]
programme, to support matchmaking events, networking, finding new business
partners inside and outside the EU.
The
Commission will clarify the conditions under which the European Structural and
Investment Funds (ESIF) can be used to support dual-use projects, both in terms
of investment projects (European Regional Development Fund – budget of €140
billion) and skills (European Social Fund – budget of €74 billion). 
In
addition, the Commission will foster applications from cross-border clusters
and networks to the European Territorial Co-operation programme with a total
budget of €8.7 billion (2014-2020). 
It
is up to companies, clusters, and regions to take up these opportunities.
However, the Commission will, in close co-operation with the EDA and the
Association of Regional Development Agencies (EURADA):
·      
raise awareness of these opportunities through
targeted events. The first meeting took place on 12 May in Brussels with the
second due to take place in November 2014. 
·      
publish in July 2014 a guidebook for
regional authorities and SMEs clarifying the possibility of using the ESIF in
supporting dual-use projects. 
·      
support the creation of a defence
related regional network, building on the work done so far with interested
regional authorities and clusters with the objective of establishing a
mechanism to share best practice in accessing ESIF and integrating defence into
smart specialised strategies.
The
ultimate aim of these actions is to increase the rate of successful
applications for dual use projects by defence-related SMEs and clusters for EU
funding, in particular under ESIF and COSME. This in turn should help SMEs to
become better integrated into EU wide clusters and related industries leading
to a more diversified supply chain.
Skills
The
success of Europe's defence sector depends on retaining personnel with key
skills and recruiting those with the skills needed for the future. Enhanced EU
mobility of workforce can also provide a competitive edge to the sector.  Some areas
are already experiencing skills shortages due to staff retirements and the
difficulties of attracting newly qualified professionals. 
Approach
and deliverables
Most
skills required in defence are similar to those required in other industrial
sectors. This provides wide scope for the use of EU instruments originally
conceived for civil industries.
In
particular, the Commission will promote the use of the "Sector Skills
Alliances" and "Knowledge Alliances" programmes by defence
related companies and education facilities. This will be done through: 

 A
     communication campaign on EU funding of skill-related initiatives. This will
     be prepared in co-operation with the EDA and relevant bodies including the
     AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and the
     European trade union IndustriAll; 
 Encouraging
     the use of the ESIF for workers' training and re-skilling; in particular by
     addressing skills needs and anticipation of restructuring. This will be
     highlighted in the guidance in the aforementioned guidebook being prepared
     for regional authorities and SMEs; and
 Launching,
     in 2015, a study on current and future competencies and skills supply and
     demand in the defence sector as a basis for our forthcoming work in this
     area. 

The
key objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the current and
future skill needs of Europe’s defence sector so that European, national and regional
policies can more effectively targeted. 
2.3     Exploiting
Dual-use Potential of Research and Reinforcing Innovation
The
Communication and the European Council conclusions identified the lack of
investment in research and innovation as a threat for the long term competitiveness
of the European defence industry and Europe's defence capabilities. 
Approach
and deliverables
The
Commission has identified a number of ways it can support CSDP-related research
which are outlined below.  In addition, the Commission will develop schemes for
pre-commercial procurement which can be used, where appropriate, as a way of
bridging the gap between research and the market.
Dual-use
research:       the Commission will maximise
synergies in both directions between the civil research of Horizon 2020 and the
defence research co-ordinated by the EDA within the scope allowed by the rules
of both. To this aim it will also examine possibilities of expanding the scope and
status of the existing European Framework Co-operation agreement with the EDA. 
    
Following
the European Council Conclusions, the Commission has started to identify a
number of innovation fields and applications to which cross-cutting key
enabling technologies (KETs) contribute, including a range of civil sectors
that are of high interest to the defence and security industries. This
indicates that there is a clear potential for defence to engage in a broader
innovation and technology context. In particular, the Commission is consulting the
High Level Group on KETs[7]
(which has recently established a sub-group on the dual-use potential of KETs)
which is due to report by the end of 2014. 
Preparatory
Action (PA):        The purpose of a PA is to illustrate
the value added of an EU contribution in new research areas – complementing the
CSDP-related civilian research ongoing under Horizon 2020. The PA will last for
a maximum of three years. The total amount of funding will depend on the
available budgetary resources at the time of adoption and will need to respect
the ceilings in the EU Financial Regulation 1081/2010 for the PA. If
successful, this PA would prepare the ground for a possible CSDP-related
research theme which could be funded under the next multi-annual financial
framework. While this cannot substitute for national investment in defence
R&D, it should promote synergies with national research efforts and
encourage industrial co-operation.
The
scope of the PA will be defined in consultation with Member States, the
European Parliament, EDA, EEAS and industry. A successful PA will need to
recognise the specificities of defence-related research including: research
areas and models, intellectual property rights, confidentiality of results,
co-funding and rules of participation, the role of Member States, while
ensuring attractiveness for industry participation. The question of governance
will be a central issue. 
The
Commission believes that these principles and specific issues related to the PA
could be considered by an independent advisory body made up of top level
decision-makers and experts. Such a ‘Group of Personalities’ would consist of
around 20 high level representatives from Member States, the European
Parliament, the industry and academia. 
2.4     Development
of Capabilities
In
the Communication the Commission highlighted the need to address the full range
of capability needs to meet the many challenges Europe is facing. While this is
the prime responsibility for the Member States and the EDA, the Commission can
make an important contribution, in line with its competences in the field of
non-military security (e.g. counter-terrorism, protection of external borders,
maritime surveillance and civil protection). 
Approach
and deliverables
Joint
assessment of capability needs:   the Commission
will undertake, with the High Representative and EDA, a joint-assessment of
dual-use capability needs for EU security and defence policies. The objective
is to highlight areas where military and non-military capability needs are
similar and identify the potential for synergies which will also take into
account those capability areas underlined by the European Council, including
RPAS, SatCom and Cyber-security. 
Common Information Sharing Environment
(CISE) for the EU maritime domain:  a Communication,
planned for adoption in July 2014, within the context of the European Maritime
Security Strategy[8],
will provide an implementation Roadmap for CISE. Further, a planned Member
States-driven project will develop, apply and test CISE on a larger scale
before its implementation in 2020. 
Civil-military
Co-operation:    in order to improve, in
practical ways, civil / military co-operation based on existing EU networks the
Commission is establishing an informal co-ordination group with the EDA to further
intensify synergies and identify areas for further co-operation. Early
reflection shows that Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear - Explosive
(CBRN-E) and detection technologies are some promising areas for developing
synergies between the Commission policies on internal security and the work of
the Agency.  On 5th May the Commission adopted its Communication on
a new approach to the detection and mitigation of CBRN-E risks (COM(2014)247)
which also pointed to the need for enhanced civil-military co-operation in
these areas.  Discussions with Member States will be taken forward through the Commission's
existing CBRN-E Advisory Group. 
2.5     Space
and Defence
The
development of European and national capabilities in space is taking an
increasingly central role in meeting our security challenges. While some space
capabilities must remain under exclusive national/military control, the
Commission believes that there are significant potential benefits, in terms of
reduced costs and greater efficiency, from increased synergies between national
and European space capabilities. 
Approach
and deliverables
The
Commission will continue its work to protect space infrastructure and support
the development of the next generation of Satellite Communication (SATCOM).
Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST):
a Commission proposal for a SST Support Framework to protect space infrastructure
was adopted on 2 April 2014. This will support national efforts to form an SST
consortium and to deliver SST services at the European level. Once this
consortium is established, the Commission will encourage, via Horizon 2020, the
development and the renewal of SST assets. 
Satellite Communication (SATCOM):
in this area, in line with the European Council Conclusions, a user-group has
been set up consisting of Commission services, the EEAS, EDA and the European Space
Agency. This user group is addressing the issue of the fragmentation of demand
for security SATCOM and will help support Member States in the preparation of the
next generation of Governmental SATCOM.
In
addition, the Commission, in close coordination with the user- group, will
launch a study to map SATCOM demand both from the civil security users and
for the big EU infrastructures. Results are expected in 2015. 
Finally,
within the limits of its competence, the Commission will explore the possibility
to contribute to improving the EU access to High Resolution Satellite Imagery,
in support of CFSP and CSDP missions and operations.
2.6    Application of EU Energy Policies
and Support Instruments in the Defence Sector
Armed
forces have a strong interest in reducing their energy footprint and could thus
make an important contribution to the Union’s energy targets. 
Approach
and deliverables
In
2013 the Commission started discussions with Member States and the EDA on the
establishment of a Consultation Forum for Energy in the Defence and Security
Sector. The mission of this Consultation Forum will be to bridge the expertise
in developing policies, and other initiatives on energy with the specific
requirements and environment of the armed forces. 
The
Consultation Forum is expected to become operational by the end of 2014. In the
autumn, single national contact points on energy issues should be established in
the ministries of defence and/or associated institutions. EU funding for the Consultation
Forum is provisionally reserved for 2014-2015 with a possible extension if the
initiative proves useful for Member States.
Discussions
with national experts revealed a need for information on how EU energy policies
and legislation can be implemented in the defence sector to improve the
capabilities of the armed forces and contribute to the achievement of the EU
and national objectives on (1) energy efficiency, (2) use of renewable energy
sources and (3) protection of critical energy infrastructure.
Therefore,
the Consultation Forum will develop a number of deliverables, by the end of
2015, including: 
·      
guidance documents on a) the
implementation of the relevant EU energy legislation and b) financing
investments in energy efficiency and renewables in the defence sector; 
·      
concepts and recommendations for joint
actions between Member States to improve the protection of critical energy
infrastructures.
2.7    Strengthening the International
Dimension
With
defence budgets shrinking in Europe in recent years, exports to third markets
have become increasingly important for European industry to compensate for
reduced demand on home markets.
Approach
and deliverables
Competitiveness
on third markets: The Commission will discuss
with stakeholders how to support the European defence industry on third
markets. Issues to be addressed include: the impact of offsets requirements in
third countries on the European defence sector; the obstacles that European
industry faces when competing for contracts in third countries and the contribution
of EU trade and investment agreements; the support that competitors from third
countries receive, and the extent to which similar support could be provided to
EU companies.
In
order to discuss such issues, the Commission will set up in the fourth quarter
of 2014 a forum bringing together representatives from government and industry.
On the basis of the results of this dialogue, the Commission will assess the
need for additional steps. The Commission will also continue to involve
stakeholders on a regular basis, notably in the context of negotiations on
trade and investment agreements with third countries.
Dual
use export control: Following up to a report
to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of Regulation
No 428/2009[9]
, the Commission adopted, on 24 April 2014, a Communication on the review
of export control policy.[10]
This Communication aims at mapping the direction for EU strategic export
controls and identifies concrete policy options for their modernisation.
As
a further step in the policy review, the Commission will now conduct an impact
assessment of the various review options identified in the Communication. This
exercise will be supported by an external study and include a targeted public
consultation, as well as an "industry forum" for key stakeholders.
The Commission intends to complete the impact assessment in the first half of
2015, laying the ground for possible future action.
3.       Conclusion
This
report is a follow-up to the Commission’s Communication adopted in July 2013
and contributes to the implementation of the European Council Conclusions of
December 2013. At the same time, it ensures the continuity of the Commission’s
activities in the field of defence and security and builds the bridge to the
Commission’s contribution to the European Council of June 2015.
In
particular through its policies on internal market, industry, research and
innovation, the Commission can make an important contribution to strengthening
the European defence and security sector. This is true especially since the
relationship between civil and defence world intensifies with the dividing lines
becoming increasingly blurred. This is particularly apparent in CSDP missions
which are mostly civil and require close civil / military co-operation to be
effective. This is increasing the demand for greater civil / military synergies
in areas such as communication, strategic transport, surveillance, RPAS etc. The
EU, and in particular the Commission and the High Representative and EDA are
well placed to respond to this challenge.
At
the same time the investment in defence R&D is continuing to fall
dramatically. In 2012, EU-wide defence R&D expenditure decreased by 38%
compared to 2011. Partly as a consequence, the gap between defence and civil
R&D is increasing. Therefore defence industry dependence on technologies
with a civilian origin is increasing as is the tendency to diversify into civil
businesses. Meanwhile civil companies are buying up technologies, such as
robotics, which are also of interest to defence firms. Therefore, essential
technologies such as those relating to big data, synthetic biology, 3D printing
etc., will become an important source of innovation for both defence and civil industries.

While
it remains difficult to predict what the European defence and security sector will
look like in the next 20 to 30 years it is clear that the industrial landscape
is changing. Defence activities will continue to have its specificities, but civil
elements will become increasingly important for the sector. This trend makes
many of the Commission’s policies even more relevant for defence and offers
opportunities for new synergies and greater efficiency which Europe should not
miss.
[1] The
actions foreseen in the roadmap have no impact on the EU budget over and beyond
the appropriations already foreseen in the official financial programming of
the Commission and are compatible with the relevant European programmes
included under the MFF 2014 – 2020.  Each action presented in this roadmap is
coherent and compatible with the relevant financial instruments established
under the Multi-annual Financial Framework.
[2] Article
73 of Directive 2009/81/EC.
[3] Register
of the Certified Defence-related Enterprises (Certider).  More information
available here: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/defence/certider/
[4] This
is part of the wider context of the Commission's work in this area to establish
a framework for the operation of civil RPAS as set out in its Communication of
8th April (COM (2014) 207).  With this aim the Commission will
encourage the full use of EU instruments to ensure a comprehensive approach and
maximise synergies including allowing for its safe integration into
non-segregated airspace.
[5] COM (2014) 297
[6] COSME
– Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises - with a
budget of €2.3 billion for 2014 - 2020.
[7] The
Group was established in February 2013 to advise the Commission on ways to
foster the use of KETs in Europe.
[8] Communication of 6th March 2014 (JOIN (2014) 9).
7               COM(2013)710
of 16.10.2013.
[10]             COM(2014)244
of 24.4.2014.