ASD is a European trade association in Brussels, lobbying on behalf of aeronautics, space, defense and security companies. Those British companies are considered European, he said. "We have told those firms: even if Britain leaves the EU, you will still be considered European," he said. "The hand of French and European companies absolutely will be held out to you." It is up to the British and French governments to pursue the 2010 Lancaster House defense cooperation treaty. "It is the responsibility of France and Great Britain to continue to cooperate" he said. Britain has announced its project for Tempest, a potential British rival to the Franco-German fighter in the FCAS project. Dassault will be prime contractor for the new European combat aircraft. France plans to announce contracts for a fighter technology demonstrator at the Paris airshow, which opens June 17. Airbus and Dassault are equal partners on a study on concept and architecture of the demonstrator.