Brussels, 23 May 2005

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
European Space Policy - Preliminary Elements {SEC(2005)664}

INTRODUCTION

The `Space Council' as defined in the Framework Agreement between the EC and ESA met on 25 November 2004, under the joint chairmanship of the EU Presidency and the Chairmanship of the European Space Agency (ESA) Council at Ministerial level and decided in its orientations1 that its second meeting would:

"Recognise and identify priorities of the European Space Programme, including estimation of possible costs.

"Identify the roles and responsibilities of the EU, ESA and other stakeholders of the European Space Programme as well as the relevant funding sources.

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"Identify industrial policy principles and funding principles related to the implementation of the European Space Programme".

This paper responds to these orientations. It has been produced by the EC-ESA joint secretariat. The document has been discussed with the Member States in the High Level Space Policy Group. Furthermore, discussions with industry have taken place on 5 April 2005. Finally, based on the orientations of the second Space Council scheduled for 7 June 2005, the joint secretariat intends to further develop this paper transforming the preliminary elements into a more concrete proposal for a European Space Policy and related Programme to be submitted to the third Space Council. This final proposal will take into account the results from an open consultation process.

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This European Space Policy will consist of: a strategy outlining the objectives; the definition of the roles and responsibilities of the main actors in delivering these objectives; the European Space Programme identifying the priorities of the main actors; and a set of implementing principles agreed amongst them.

Annex II 15000/04 adopted during the 2624th meeting of the COMPETITIVENESS Council of the EU (15259/04 paragraph 11) 1. STRATEGY

Space activities are strategic for their contribution to the construction of Europe. Space is a tool to serve the interests of the Union, its Member States and its citizens: strategic influence, scientific progress, economic growth in the knowledge economy and security.

The EU is increasingly a global actor. After enlargements, the EU's strategic influence has increased. This requires reflection, adaptation and creation of the necessary instruments,

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Brussels, 23.05.2005 COM(2005) 208 final Previous Item Back to Titles