Brussels, 09 January 2002

Parliament will consider a Commission communication about the need to develop a more coherent European Space Strategy. The European Council decision of December 1999 called on the Commission and the European Space Agency to elaborate this strategy. Furthermore, the Council has requested the Commission "to set up, as soon as possible, in cooperation with the ESA, a joint high-level Task Force involving the Commission and the ESA Executive" in order to "develop further the European space strategy and produce proposals for its implementation'.

Reporting for the Industry Committee, Konstantinos ALYSSANDRAKIS (EUL/NGL, GR) emphasises that space activities should be intended only for peaceful purposes. He welcomes the drafting of a coherent European strategy for space and stresses the importance of close and effective cooperation between the Commission and the European Space Agency. Mr Alyssandrakis further believes that the ESA (with its basis of intergovernmental cooperation) should in the longer term be brought within the EU, while retaining its autonomy.

He thinks that the three lines of action proposed in the Commission document -

'Strengthening the foundation for space activities',
'Enhancing scientific knowledge' and
'Reaping the benefits for markets and society'

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benefit the European research, industry and society as a whole. Mr Alyssandrakis also emphasises the importance of the Galileo project for transport and European space strategy.

Konstantinos ALYSSANDRAKIS (EUL/NGL, GR)
Report on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on Europe and Space: Turning to a new chapter
(COM(2000) 597 - C5-0146/2001 - 2001/2072(COS))
[may not be available yet]

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Procedure : Consultation paper
Debate : 16.01.200

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European Parliament Briefing 2002-01-14