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3 June 2003

Arianespace expresses thanks to ESA member states

Following the ministerial level meeting of the European Space Agency
Council, Arianespace thanked ESA members and announced that it was
pleased with the measures taken at the meeting.

Evry, May 28, 2003 - The measures taken at the ESA Council meeting
fully comply with the recommendations submitted by the Arianespace
Board of Directors. On April 24, the Board approved in principle the
Ariane 5 support plan, and then on May 23 came out in favor of
Arianespace operating the Soyuz launcher.

The decisions taken by ESA member-states will guarantee the long-term
viability of the company.

The Ariane 5 support program will enable qualification the most
powerful version of the launcher, the Ariane 5-ECA, increase
government use of Ariane 5, and reorganize the launcher industry by
setting up closer links between production and development.

Furthermore, the collaboration established with Russia will enable
Arianespace to operate the Soyuz launcher from the Guiana Space
Center, Europe's Spaceport.

These decisions will enable Arianespace to meet all customer
requirements offering a range of launchers - Ariane, Soyuz and Vega -
covering all commercial and government mission requirements. In
addition, the decisions by ESA will bolster the quality of customer
service offered by the company, and therefore its market position,
which benefits the entire European space industry.

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