Prodi promotes ESA-Commission cooperation at ESA Council
EU Commission President Romano Prodi flew into Edinburgh, Scotland, on 14 November to cement cooperation between the ESA and the Commission at the European space agency (ESA) Council. Speaking before his arrival in Edinburgh, President Prodi said: 'I am convinced that our efforts in space have become essential to the well-being of the entire planet. Advances in space research are revolutionising the quality of the daily lives of Europe's citizens. The EU's effective use of space-based resources will make the Union even more influential in the world.' Elizabeth Holt, head of the European Commission office in Scotland, said that Mr Prodi arrived 'on a day when Europe's skills, knowledge and sheer scientific brilliance are being showcased by the European space agency meeting.' Mr Prodi is visiting Edinburgh to present new arrangements between the ESA and the Commission to create a European space policy, which he wants to see submitted to EU Heads of State for political approval. The Commission will play an active role in the new partnership, making funds available for space applications within the next RTD framework programme, FP6. At the ESA Council, which runs from 14 to 15 November, Member State Ministers responsible for space will discuss the strategic importance of space in Europe and the civil and security space requirements, and will evaluate the European public space sector. The discussions will cover institutional relations between the ESA and the EU, a network of technical space centres and the strengthening of public-private initiatives. Decisions on the level of resources over the next five-year period will also be taken. Among the ESA programmes tabled for funding are the Galileo satellite navigation project, the GMES Earth observation initiative, space science, satellite communications and exploitation of the International space station.