Led by Christophe Grudler (Renew Europe, French), the European Parliament’s negotiating team and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU mulled over the budgetary issue regarding the future constellation for secure connectivity on Thursday, 27 October.
According to the interinstitutional meeting’s agenda, co-legislators were expected to tackle five main issues (see EUROPE 13051/9). There was convergence on the issues related to launch requirements, the strengthened environmental dimension of the programme, and the place of the ‘New Space’ [industry]. However, co-legislators have made it clear where they differ on the budgetary issue.
“Creating strategic autonomy with a recycled budget is not creating strategic autonomy”, Mr Grudler reportedly declared. The European Parliament wants to use the money that has not been used in the context of the framework programme Horizon Europe. Moreover, it is insisting on new money. The EU Council, for its part, is reluctant to use margins and decommitments. Nevertheless, despite the reluctance of reputedly “frugal” Member States (notably Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands), a consensus could be reached.
The other point of discussion was on the role of the European Space Agency (ESA) within the programme. While the European Commission and the European Parliament insist on the fact that the European Union “may” call on ESA’s expertise, the Council of the EU has replaced this possibility with an obligation (“shall”).
No decision has been taken as of yet. Work will continue at the technical level. A second interinstitutional meeting is reportedly still expected to be held on 17 November. The goal remains to reach an agreement before the ESA Ministerial Council meeting on 22 and 23 November.
To consult the initial four-column document: https://aeur.eu/f/3so (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)