Security and space research - a new focus

Brussels, 7th April 2005

Security and space research together form a new priority under the proposal for the 7th Framework Programme for Research & Development published today. Security and space research will share a budget allocation of € 500 Mio per year.

Vice President Verheugen said “Security research will contribute to increasing security for our citizens. Space applications have important benefits to citizens, contributing to the fields of agriculture, fisheries, environment, telecommunications, security and transport. Both research fields will help create a favourable business environment, not only for the security and space industry, but also in many other economic sectors, thereby making a significant contribution towards increasing growth and employment in Europe”.

The European Space Policy will be implemented through a European Space Programme, expected to enter into force in 2007, in which applications in support of the implementation of several EU policies (agriculture, fisheries, environment, telecommunications, transport, etc.) will have a prominent place. The EU contribution to research activities in the European Space Programme will mainly come from FP7, with a substantial increase in relation to FP6.

Activities in space research will focus on support of space-based applications at the service of the European Society, specifically: satellite-based monitoring systems and techniques in support of the environment and security (GMES).

These activities are complemented by Galileo-related research in the “transport” thematic priority and by actions included in the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme.

Security research is an important building block in supporting the Common Foreign and Security Policy as well as realising an EU-wide area of justice, freedom and security. It also contributes to developing technologies and capabilities in support of other EU policies in areas such as transport, civil protection, energy and environment.

Planned activities cover:

• protection against terrorism and crime
• security on infrastructures and utilities
• border security
• restoring security in case of crisis.

Security research focuses on civil security applications, now a responsibility of Vice-President Verheugen who represents the Commission in the European Defence Agency Steering Board.

Being part of the 7th Framework Programme, security and space research will be pre-competitive in nature but will seek to provide tangible results and responses to urgent needs. It will therefore encompass research, technological development and demonstration activities.

More information Space policy

http://europa.eu.int/comm/space/index_en.html

More information Security policy

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/security/index_en.htm

See also the memo/05/116

Item source: IP/05/397 Date: 07/04/2005 Previous Item Back to Titles Print Item