ESA-EU framework agreement (Extract from: Preparation of the Competitiveness Council, 22nd September 2003)

Brussels, 19 th September 2003

The Commission's Communication "Towards a European Space Policy (COM(2001)718 final) proposed establishing a formal link through a Framework Agreement between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the EU. At its meeting on March 2002, the Council gave the Commission a mandate to negotiate the framework agreement.

Ministers are expected to adopt the Framework Agreement at the Council on 22 nd September. A formal Council decision should follow soon.

The agreement is intended to achieve a "coherent and progressive development of an overall European space policy" and sets out the various fields for co-operation, such as: science, research, technology, Earth observation, navigation, communication by satellite, human space flight and microgravity, launchers and spectrum policy related to space.

DN: MEMO/03/179 Date: 19/09/2003