Brussels, 07/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The expert group on space and security, which was created by an initiative of Commissioner Philippe Busquin, met for the first time in Brussels on Monday. This group, which is responsible for leading the reflection on the contribution to be made to security by the future European space programme (for instance, border control by satellite, conflict prevention, humanitarian missions, fighting organised crime and terrorism), is made up of experts for the Member States of the European Union, the European Space Agency, national space agencies, the EU's satellite centre at Torrejon, from EUMESTAT (the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), and representatives of various parties concerned by the space and security sectors.
The high-level group on space policy also met for the first time on 4 June, for a broader discussion on preparations for the future multi-annual European space programme, to cover the period from 2005-2007, and implement the actives planned under the recent framework agreement between the European Community and the European Space Agency (ESA), which officially entered into force on 28 May. This group is also to prepare the first meeting of the Space Council, bringing together the competent ministers for the Member States of the EU and ESA on 26 November 2004. The future space programme will cover space science and technology, earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, space exploration, microgravity; launchers and spectrum policy related to space. The joint proposal by the Commission and the ESA is expected early next year.