Brussels, 09/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Space Council on 26 September is expected to approve a resolution on the future of the European space policy. This resolution, based on the results of the European space ministers informal meeting organised by the French Presidency on 20-22 July in Kourou, is expected to confirm the European Union's aim to become a global actor in space policy. During the visit of the Guyana Space Centre, the Ariane rocket launch site (and shortly the Soyuz site), EU ministers (15 or so accompanying Valérie Pécresse from France*) reached an agreement on: the need to reinforce GMES (Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security) through long term funding guaranteed by the Union; the need for better use of space data, particularly through the strengthening of cooperation between climate research centres; the need to protect space infrastructure (particularly the risk of collision with space debris) through a space monitoring system, which could be put in place by the EU; arranging a high level conference to determine the European space orientation and exploration policies (this European Commission proposal aims to relaunch reflection in an area that has had little enthusiasm in the European political orbit, although space is considered as a strategic challenge by the main international powers - see EUROPE document 2502 annexed to this bulletin). [*ESA currently only brings together 18 countries including Norway and Switzerland but this number may change soon to include Slovenia, Slovakia, Cyprus and Malta, which have mentioned the possibility of joining the agency.]
As usual, this 5th Space Council, which is not expected to be more than two hours long, will be followed by formal Competitiveness and ESA Council sessions, the only councils that have the remit to approve this kind of resolution. (O.J./transl.rh)