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Progress made on EU-Russia space cooperation

A hearing on enhanced EU-Russian space cooperation took place in the Russia Duma (parliament) on 8 June, following up on the suggestion made last year by European Research commissioner Philippe Busquin that a further 'dialogue on space' was required between the European Union ...

A hearing on enhanced EU-Russian space cooperation took place in the Russia Duma (parliament) on 8 June, following up on the suggestion made last year by European Research commissioner Philippe Busquin that a further 'dialogue on space' was required between the European Union and Russia. Russian representatives at the meeting included those from space industry (including Rosaviakosmos, the Russian aviation and space agency) as well as politicians, notably the chairman of the Duma committee on education and science, Ivan Melnikov and the President of the state Duma, Gennadi Sekeznez. The European delegation attending the hearing was made up of representatives of the European space industry, the European Commission and the European Parliament. Discussions particularly focused on the new European strategy for space, which was adopted by the European research council and the European space agency (ESA) in November 2000. Three areas surfaced which provided particular interest: launch services, development of the satellite navigation system GALILEO and elaboration of the GMES initiative (Global monitoring for environment and security), all of which could benefit from enhanced EU-Russian collaboration. In addition to the hearing, direct talks have been taking place between the heads of ESA and Rosaviakosmos, Antonio Rodatà and Yuri Koptev respectively, over closer cooperation between the two organisations.