Agreement on Earth observation data signed by Commission and ESA

Brussels, Oct 2005

An agreement on space-based information services and access to, and provision of, Earth observation data was signed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Commission's Joint Research Centre on 26 October.

The 'Specific arrangement concerning the development of space-based information services and the access to and provision of Earth Observation data' was signed on behalf of ESA by Volker Liebig, Director of the agency's Earth Observation Programme, and by Freddy Dezeure, Director of Programme and Resource Management of the JRC, on behalf of the Commission. The signature took place at ESRIN, the ESA Earth observation centre in Frascati, Italy.

'This document defines the respective tasks and responsibilities of ESA and the JRC for a strong coordinated approach to the use of Earth observation data in support of the information services of the EU. This will strengthen cooperation with the EU and secure the GMES (the joint EC-ESA initiative for global monitoring for environment and security) as a major information management and policy support tool for Europe,' said Dr Liebig.

ESA and the JRC have agreed to in close cooperation in four fields:

• coordinating the use of Earth observation satellite missions, in which they have a common interest

• developing services aimed at meeting the specific needs of end users (in particular in EU services)

• optimising access to support information for EC actions

• coordinating and providing technical support with regard to Earth observation activities within the European initiative INSPIRE (INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in the European Union), whose objective is harmonising the methods employed by Member States to collect data on the geographical characteristics of their own territories.

The rational behind this agreement is that coordinated use of Earth observation technology makes it possible for the EU to pursue significant political objectives in environmental protection and security, and confirms European leadership in both the development of Earth observation missions and their exploitation. It offers the JRC, which is a key partner in implementing the European GMES initiative, access to a wider and more continuous data set from a large variety of Earth observation satellites. As provider of technical support to the Commission services, the JRC is ideally placed to foster pre-operational and operational services in support of the EU policies and services being developed through GMES. ESA is playing its role of leading agency in the development of space systems, particularly in support of the GMES initiative.

The Frascati agreement puts into effect many of the actions envisaged in the Framework agreement between the European Union and the European Space Agency in the field of earth observation. This agreement, signed on 25 November 2003, laid the foundations for significant strengthening of the European space sector, by promoting the implementation of a global space policy to secure independent and cost-effective space capabilities for Europe, to be developed in line with EU policies on sustainable development, economic growth and employment.

The agreement on Earth observation will come into effect immediately. 'This is a definite step towards the implementation of a European Space Policy,' concluded Dr Liebig.

Further information

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001
Item source Previous Item Back to Titles Print Item