18/04/2019 (Agence Europe) – The ASD-Eurospace, which represents the space industry sector, welcomed the European Parliament's support on Wednesday 17 April for the Interinstitutional Agreement with the EU Council on the Regulation establishing the 2021-2027 Space Programme (see EUROPE 12238/21). Eurospace President Jean-Loïc Galle welcomed “a very important milestone” that confirms the willingness of the EU institutions to “reinforce Europe’s leadership in space”. However, Mr Galle's fears have not been allayed: the budgetary issue now remains, which should be decided in the coming months in the context of the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework (MFF). He hopes at least to maintain the budget set by the Commission, namely €16 billion. The European Parliament increased it to €16.9 billion in its position adopted at the end of 2018 (see EUROPE 12142/7). (PH)