Space Council
© Conseil de l'Union européenne
- On: 26.09.2008
- In: Brussels
The European Ministers for Space adopted a resolution on the European Space Policy, based on the 2007 resolution adopted under the German Presidency of the EU Council and Dutch presidency of ESA. This integrates the results of the discussions from the informal meeting of the European space ministers, held at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou on 21 and 22 July last.
The European Ministers for Research reaffirmed the role and responsibilities of the European Union in the field of space. Accordingly, the EU will be charged with defining Europe's political ambitions in the field of space: it aims to place space in the service of European citizens, of the economy, of the sovereignty of Europe and fostering the creation a strong sense of European identity.
The creation of Community financial instruments and a financial blueprint for European Space Policy was also agreed. This involves finding long-term financing for space infrastructure, particularly in the field of observation. This principle will enable the EU to guarantee, among other things, financing for the GMES system.
Lastly, several new initiatives were launched:
- Europe must acquire a monitoring system for space debris which presents a hazard to orbiting satellites, in order to ensure the continuity of space services. The European Union, in conjunction with the ESA, will be charged with organising this system;
- in the field of exploration, Europe should play a significant role within a worldwide project based on the principle of interdependence, without the scheme being appropriated by one State or another. To achieve this, the Commission will organise an international political conference on Europe's role, which should be based on these fields of excellence;
- in the field of climate change study, the Commission is mandated with proposing a better organisation of research communities, in order to optimise satellite data use;
- to reinforce the space sector's competitiveness and give fresh impetus to a new space applications industry, the European Union should make the space industry a "growth sector". A sector to which the Commission pays particular attention, in view of developing an easily accessible common market.
- Sources: Ministry of Higher Education and Research
- Updated: 06.11.2008
