First ever “Space Council” paves the way for
a European space programme
The first ever European "Space Council" was held
in Brussels this week. This is a major political milestone for Europe
in Space, offering ministers representing the 27 European Union (EU) and/or
European Space Agency (ESA) Member States the first opportunity to jointly
discuss the develop- ment of a coherent overall European space programme.
In the footprint of the Treaty establishing a Constitution
for Europe, signed by the Heads of State or Government of the European
Union on 29 October and defining for the first time “space”
as a shared competence of the Union, the Space Council acknowledges the
importance of space activities for a wide range of European policies.
In today’s meeting ministers recognised that it is essential to
utilise the available resources in an efficient and effective way so that
the supply of space-based services and infrastructures can meet the demand
from users, such as the European Union’s policies, Member States’
policies and for the benefit of all European citizens. The ministers also
agreed that the unique nature of the space sector requires the development
of an appropriate industrial policy and public authorities close attention.
German Minister for Education and Research Edelgard Bulmahn, current
chair of the ESA council at ministerial level, said: ”This meeting
was a great step forward for Europe’s ambitions in space. Europe
must federate its space efforts in order to better exploit the potential
of space technologies for the well-being of its citizens. The European
Space Programme will significantly strengthen Europe’s role in this
area of great economic and political importance”.
Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst, current chair
of the EU Competitiveness Council said: “Today was a memorable day
for European cooperation in Space. With the first EU-ESA Space Council
Europe made a major step in the direction of a strong and coherent European
Space Programme. Space technologies and applications will help Europe
to reach its common goals in the field of i.e. competitiveness, environment
and security. I am confident that our joint efforts will contribute to
a strong and independent position for Europe in the global arena.”
Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry Günter Verheugen said:
“Today’s first Space Council may not yet be a giant step for
mankind. But the fact that we are drawing up a joint European Space Policy
is a huge leap forward. Space is an area where the added value of a joint
and coherent policy on the European level is very clear. The industrial
dimension of space is key to increasing the competitiveness of European
industry.”
ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain said: “The European Space
Agency has long-standing experience of providing Europe’s citizens
with space-based solutions meeting their requirements. We are prepared
to take up the new challenges that the future European space programme
will ask us to accomplish”.
The European space programme, to be defined in concept by the end of
2005, will constitute a common, inclusive and flexible platform encompassing
all activities and measures to be undertaken by the EC, ESA and other
stakeholders (e.g. national organisations) in order to achieve the objectives
set in the overall European space policy.
To this end, a second “Space Council” meeting is planned for
Spring 2005 to define general governance principles, identify priorities
as well as the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders and establish
industrial policy principles.
Jointly chaired by Mrs Edelgard Bulmahn, German Minister for Education
and Research and current chair of the ESA Council at ministerial level,
and by Mr Laurens-Jan Brinkhorst, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs
and current chair of the EU Competitiveness Council, the meeting was also
attended by Mr Günter Verheugen, European Commission Vice President,
in charge of enterprise, industry competitiveness and space matters and
by Mr Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA Director General representing the European
Space Agency.
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