23/11/2017 (Agence Europe) – During the “Sky and Space” intergroup event at the European Parliament on Tuesday 21 November, which focused on the question of futuresSpace research in Europe after 2020, the European Commission and EUROSPACE, which represents the space industry, signed an agreement to launch a two-year pilot project to develop space technologies for Europe (STEPP). This project was devised by Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP (EPP, Romania) and aims to strengthen private sector investment in research and development. The objective is to test the viability of the Joint technology initiative (JTI) and long-term public-private partnerships, for which EUROSPACE (see EUROPE 11910) has been making robust appeals in an effort to guarantee the acquisition of crucial technology for the European Union’s Space independence. Commissioners Elżbieta Bieńkowska and Carlos Moedas attended the signing ceremony. (PH)