Brussels, 20/02.2014 (Agence Europe) - At the Competitiveness Council on 21 February, European research ministers considered the best way for the EU to cooperate with the European Space Agency (ESA), interviewing the head of the ESA, Jean-Jacques Dordain, and examining a recent report by the European Commission in this connection published on 6 February (see EUROPE 11013). The report suggests the creation of a “European pillar” at the ESA, providing common services to the ESA's intergovernmental activities. The delegations said that greater cooperation with ESA would be a good thing, but gave differing degrees of support to the Commission's ideas. Work will therefore continue within special working groups, said the Greek secretary of state for research and innovation, Christos Vasilakos. He said that a conclusions document would be published on the subject at the Competitiveness Council in May, but the details of closer cooperation would need to be addressed together with the ESA. The agreement between the EU and ESA that runs from 2004 to 2016 on the supply of space programmes will probably be amended at the end of the year. (MD/transl.fl)