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Paris, 21 January 2003
Press Release
Nų 06-2003

The European Commission and ESA launch 
debate on a space policy for the Union
======================================

Today in Brussels, European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin,
introduced the Green Paper on EU Space Policy. The Paper, prepared in
co-operation with the European Space Agency (ESA), looks into Europe's
assets and weaknesses in this sector. As a basis for a broad 
consultation, the report tackles key issues such as the EU's 
independent access to space, scientific excellence in this field, the 
industrial and technological base, relevant markets, human resources, 
the legal and institutional framework, international co-operation  and 
environmental and security aspects.

The Green Paper aims to launch a debate with all players - national 
and international organisations, the EU space industry and users, the
scientific community and citizens. The consultation will help shape an 
EU response to competitiveness and security challenges related to 
space, to be detailed in a forthcoming White Paper.  ESA Director 
General, Antonio Rodotą, will join Commissioner Philippe Busquin for a 
formal press presentation of the Green Paper on Monday 27 January at 
11 am in Brussels.

Europe: a leader in space
-------------------------
Building on decades of space research and, due in great part to ESA's
efforts, Europe has largely achieved self-sufficiency in space 
technology and has become a leading space player.

Put into orbit by European launchers, European satellites provide
businesses, public authorities and individuals with services such as
television broadcasting, improved telecommunications, more sustainable
transport and mobility, short and medium term weather forecasting,
monitoring of climate change and faster response to natural disasters.

A breeding ground for cutting-edge research and innovation in the
knowledge society, space applications provide a growth and 
competitiveness boost for European companies. They provide new markets 
for European businesses, as well as benefits for European citizens, in 
areas such as land use planning, agriculture and fisheries management, 
sustainable transport, civil security and response to emergencies.

In the field of satellite navigation, Galileo is experiencing some 
delay, but ESA and the Commission are confident that pending issues 
can be resolved so as to allow the initiative to take off as planned.

Over the last few decades, space policy has been managed at 
intergovernmental level through ESA and at national level through 
national space Agencies and other national bodies. The European Space 
Agency, with its unique knowledge base, plays a leading co-ordination 
role in Europe's successful efforts to consolidate its industrial base 
and achieve technological independence. It has provided Europe with 
its present capacities in the area of launchers and  spacecraft, 
turning it into a leading world player in a highly competitive 
commercial field.

Space has become a crucial component for implementing European 
objectives and policies, notably sustainable development, 
environmental protection, transport and mobility and the information 
society. Space applications also provide answers to emerging security 
needs, with both civilian and defence aspects encompassed by the EU 
Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security 
and Defence Policy (ESDP).

The Galileo project and the GMES (Global Monitoring for the 
Environment and Security) initiative illustrate this new approach and 
underline the need for an enhanced role for the Union in space 
matters. They show how industrial and technological successes achieved 
by ESA can be maximised through joint space initiatives.

It is therefore logical to raise the possibility of integrating space 
into Union competence. This would open up the elaboration of a Space 
Programme enabling an efficient EU action in the space domain, 
including a vast range of new applications for industry and citizens.

The consultation
----------------
The role of the Green Paper is therefore to launch an in-depth debate
involving all parties. Its objective is to increase general awareness 
of the strategic importance of space and space policy for the Union 
and its citizens, to define areas of consensus and to find concrete 
answers to questions concerning access, funding, and institutional 
arrangements.

The consultation will run from 22 January to 30 May 2003. It will be
managed by the Commission/ESA Joint Task Force on space, which will
organise a series of seminars, workshops and hearings throughout 
Europe to foster the debate. Contributions can also be presented 
online through a dedicated Web Forum. On the basis of responses 
received from all interested parties, a White Paper will be drafted by 
the Commission and published later in the year, putting forward 
concrete proposals in an Action Plan.

The Green Paper on Space and prospects for further co-operation 
between the European Commission and the European Space Agency will be 
discussed in a forthcoming joint press conference with the 
participation of European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin, and  
ESA Director-General, Mr Antonio Rodotą (see attached registration 
form).

For further information please contact:
Franco Bonacina 
ESA Media Relations Service
Tel: +33(0)1.53.69.7155
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

Fabio Fabbi	
European Commission
Tel: +32.2.296.41.74

Lone Mikkelsen 
Tel:+ 32.2.296.05.67

_____________________________________________________________________
 
EC-ESA Press conference in Brussels Planetarium
Boechoutlaan 10 - BRUSSELS
Monday 27 January 2003 - 11h00 hrs.


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Please return this form back by fax to:
ESA Media Relations Service
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

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