Brussels, Belgium – Fragmentation in the European market for security is undermining the capabilities of governments and the private sector to provide citizens with the protection they deserve and to allow business continuity for the economy. This is one of the key messages that emerged 2008-05-14 at the conference which marked the launch of the European Organisation for Security – EOS – a private sector initiative of leading European companies open to all European private security stakeholders.

At a time when security is globally among the highest political priorities, Europe remains handicapped with a market for security that is divided by national, regional and sectoral differences without a sustainable European industrial security policy. While public policy priorities and spending drive this market, it is the private sector that provides the tools to achieve these public objectives. The role of companies, through partnership, is crucial for successful policy implementation. The role of users is fundamental to define adequate procurement policies.

Over 300 security stakeholders from governments and industry gathered 2008-05-14 at the EOS launch event in Brussels to raise awareness of the need for a more integrated security market. EOS is the first Europe-wide private initiative capable of covering security in all its different fields – including civil protection, borders surveillance, and protection of critical infrastructures. EOS aims to improve citizens’ protection by developing tools to fight not only terrorism and criminality, but also to face natural disaster such as the current cataclysmic floods in Burma.

“European countries and the European Union must take action now to end the many different approaches and solutions that prevent constructive cooperation across applications and countries.” Luigi Rebuffi, CEO of EOS told the conference. “With the creation of EOS, leading European companies and research centres have decided to put aside competition and adopt a collaborative approach,” he added.

Denis Ranque, CEO of Thales, a founding member of EOS told the audience: “Today, EOS stands as an example of how European companies can contribute in meeting the requirement for the highest levels of European security. Our members each bring to the table a piece of the security puzzle necessary to ensure adequate protection of our borders, transport and critical infrastructures”

Commenting on the present situation of the security market, Hervé Guillou, CEO of Defense and Communications Systems at EADS said “Dialogue is necessary between the companies and a tool to promote common interests was needed. To me that tool is EOS. EOS will help build and promote a coherent EU security market by providing the essential connection between suppliers, user, policy makers and researchers,” he added.

EOS, the organisation of private sector providers and users of security solutions and services, has been set up to help achieve the objectives established by Javier Solana, EU High Representative in his 2003 European Security Strategy and the 2005 Hague Programme. EOS founders and members currently comprise many of Europe’s leading civil security companies: Alcatel-Lucent, Altran, ASD, Atos Origin, Avio, BAE Systems, Cotecna Inspection, Corte, Dassault Aviation, Diehl, EADS, Engineering Ingegneria Informatica, Edisoft, Ertico, Finmeccanica, Finacantieri, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Indra, Iveco, Kemea, Saab, Sagem, Smiths Detection, Telvent, Thales, TNO.