Brussels, 09 Jun 2005

Ministers from the countries affiliated to the EU and/or the European Space Agency met on 7 June to take stock of progress towards the implementation of a European Space Policy. The policy is set to be approved at the next meeting of ministers in November.

Ministers named the Galileo satellite navigation system and the global monitoring for the environment and security (GMES) programme as the 'flagship' activities, and also underlined the necessity of implementing a custom-made industrial policy for space.

The distinct roles of the EU and ESA have also now been agreed. The EU will retain responsibility for identifying and supporting valuable ways in which space can be used for environmental protection, security, information and transport. ESA's role within the partnership will involve facilitating space exploration, guaranteeing access to space through its family of launchers and developing new technologies.

Edelgard Bulmahn, Germany's Minister for Education and Research, and the current chair of the ESA Council, indicated that the EU has a lot to learn from ESA, saying: 'In the last decades, ESA has developed a system that ensures a fair balance with regard to returns to the Member States. We must use this experience and adapt it to EU rules.'

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ESA Director-General Jean-Jacques Dordain voiced the agency's willingness to change at the meeting: 'ESA is prepared to adapt in order to take on an even greater role for Europe,' he said.

The space policy is likely to include: a European space strategy; a programme reflecting associated costs and funding sources; a commitment by the main contributors to their roles and responsibilities; and procedures for implementation.

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