An own initiative report was adopted on Tuesday 12 September by an overwhelming majority (606 votes in favour, 66 against, 16 and abstentions). In it, MEPs highlight the importance of increasing the budget in the space domain as part of the next review of the multiannual financial framework and for the next multiannual financial framework, particularly as a means of supporting the two European flagship programmes Copernicus and Galileo.
The rapporteur on the text, Constanze Krehl (S&D, Germany) warned that, “budget cuts in the European space domain would put Europe at a disadvantage at an international level”. The MEP also explained that they needed to renew the satellites regularly. As a member of the regional development committee (REGI), Ms Krehl also highlighted the role of space policy for the European Union regions. In this connection, it is also interesting that the report highlighted the role of structural and investment funds (ESI funds) for stimulating downstream space markets by way of public procurement, particularly among member states that do not have a developed space sector.
No amendments were submitted for the plenary session. The text therefore remain in the form in which it was described in our newsletter following the industry, research and energy (ITRE) committee (ITRE) vote (EUROPE 11813). Important points that need to be noted include the fact that MEPs are calling on the European Commission to carry out systematic accounting controls for space programmes before there are any new legislative or non legislative proposal.
Space sectors satisfied. Jean-Loïc Galle, the president of Eurospace, described the adoption of this report as, “a positive step forward” and also welcomed, in passing, the many opinions of the different committees (TRAN, PECH, SEDE and IMCO), which he believed demonstrated an increasing awareness among MEPs of the role played by European space programmes in public policy. Nonetheless, the president pointed out that the European space sector was increasingly under threat at a national level, particularly by the US and China, due to the strong institutional support and development resulting in the development of breakthrough technologies. Mr Galle therefore supports the aims set out by MEPs for obtaining an “ambitious” post-2020 European space policy. (Pascal Hansens)