Brussels, 25/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Framework Agreement between the European Community and the European Space Agency was signed on Tuesday in Brussels by Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of ESA, Letizia Moratti, Italian Research Minister and Philippe Busquin, Commissioner for Research. The agreement seeks to organise cooperation between the European Community and ESA. Above all it consists of a practical contribution, "the setting up of a framework to provide a common base and practical provisions for efficient cooperation", notably for carrying out common projects. The first Article of the agreement asserts that it also seeks to enable the two institutions to elaborate a "harmonious and gradual definition of a European global space policy". It also explains that ESA will be able to manage "European Community activities to do with space…in respect of Community rules". ESA could therefore be able to take part in the implementation of the space aspect in…respect of Community rules". The ESA may set up joint organisations, carry out studies, seminars, equipment exchanges etc. and conclude specific complementary agreements for some of these activities.
The framework agreement also stipulates that a "Space Council" at a Ministerial level meets regularly with the Council of the EU and the ESA Council. A secretariat, in charge of regulating cooperation will be set up. This will bring together Heads from agencies and delegates from the Commission.
In September the EU Council gave the go-ahead for the signing of the agreement (EUROPE 18 September p 10).
ESA Member States are those from the EU (excluding Greece and Luxembourg), as well as Norway and Switzerland.