15/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – In the event of the United Kingdom leaving the Union, the country could still remain a member of the European Space Agency (ESA). It will, however, have to renegotiate the terms of its participation in certain European programmes, explained Jean Bruston, who is in charge of monitoring European policies at the agency. Bruston was speaking at a meeting with British journalists in Paris on Wednesday 14 September. A source informed EUROPE that London would have to conclude third-party agreements in order to take part in the programmes – the most emblematic of which are Copernicus, Galileo and Horizon 2020. Norway and Sweden are already members of ESA and are participating in these programmes by way of these agreements. Switzerland is also currently co-chair of the agency. ESA is not a European Union institution but a separate intergovernmental organisation. The EU's space strategy it is currently evolving (see EUROPE 11551) and seeks to clarify the way in which the activities of the agency and the European Commission are carried out. (PH)