Brussels, 05/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - In presenting the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the European Earth Observation Programme for the environment and security (GMES) on Wednesday 3 February, Joost van Iersel (Netherlands) wondered if the level of funding envisaged for the initial phase of the programme (2011-2013) - €107 million from the Community budget to which will be added €43 million from the 7th research framework programme - was sufficient. Van Iersel, who was speaking at a meeting of the Space and Security working group of the Kangaroo Group, chaired by Karl von Wogau, also highlighted the need for cooperation to be organised between GMES and the European Defence Agency and other common foreign and defence policy (CFDP) players. The EESC opinion, which was adopted on 30 January, backs the twin approach allowing civil and military use of data produced by GMES and recommends increased promotion of industrial applications related to this satellite observation system.
German Social Democrat Norbert Glante, European Parliament rapporteur on this issue, also takes the view that improved funding in the first phase would bring better development of GMES. This view is one possibly shared in the Commission and Council, although they believe that the €150 million proposed in the draft regulation currently under discussion is a “viable” sum. The Commission and the Parliament would like to see free and open access, but member states want to bring in restrictions to ensure the protection of certain vital interests. Compromise could be found with the identification of some clear parameters in the regulation and a return to the committee procedure for case-by-case decisions to be taken. Glante's report will be discussed by the IRTE committee and voted on at the June plenary session. (O.J./transl.rt)