Commissioner Busquin launches the debate on European space policy
European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin called for greater political will and cooperation between stakeholders in the field of space as he presented a Green Paper on European Space policy in Brussels on 21 January. Space has become a crucial component for implementing European objectives and policies, notably sustainable development, environmental protection, transport and mobility and the information society. The Green Paper outlines the shared thoughts of the European Commission and European Space Agency (ESA) on Europe's current position in the space sector with a view to launching a debate with national and international organisations, the EU space industry and users, scientific community and citizens. 'Becoming a real space power is not only a question of technological excellence, it is also a question of political will,' said Mr Busquin. One of the key issues addressed in the Green Paper is the EU's political ambition in gaining and maintaining independent access to space by developing its own launch vehicles. Thanks to space research and ESA participation, Europe has achieved great self-sufficiency in space technology and it plays a leading role in innovative satellite monitoring applications. However, as Mr Busquin pointed out, the space industry faces considerable challenges as global competitive pressures increase in terms of developing new technologies, the down turn in the commercial market and, most notably the source of financial support. There is a growing investment gap between Europe and the US. The US government illustrates a high level of political will by continuing to invest heavily in research; nearly six times as much as Europe. Some 80 per cent of spending in the space sector (civil and defence is accounted for by this funding. According to the Green Paper, in order to remain competitive, European industry needs a broad and efficient technological base, maintained through research and demonstration programmes. Mr Busquin reiterated this, in particular emphasising the need for close cooperation between the space industry, service providers and public research bodies. This is currently illustrated by the Galileo project and GMES (Global monitoring for the environment and security). 'Proposing the best options to promote and reinforce European space policy is the most important objective of the Green Paper and the consultation with participating partners,' claimed Mr Busquin. The Commissioner also referred to the paper's call for closer international cooperation, in particular, 'deeper cooperation between Europe and Russia,' saying that a closer partnership and joint instruments 'may be of mutual interest.' On the relationship between space and society, the paper explores the conditions for the emergence of economically viable and competitive applications and space services for citizens and industries. Current developments show the value of such space applications. Citizens benefit from satellite based technologies in all areas of their life: The Commission has also contributed to the development of satellite-based environmental monitoring systems, to detect and help prevent offshore oil spills and other hazards. Mr Busquin highlighted an EU space project, which concerns satellite mapping of remote regions such as in Afghanistan so that aid and rescue teams can locate isolated villages. In the development of space applications, some 30,000 people work directly or indirectly in the European space sector, while the Galileo satellite positioning and navigation project alone would create up to 145,000 jobs. The Green Paper, according to Mr Busquin, also raises important questions surrounding European defence and security. 'If Europe wants to play more of a role at a global level [...] a common approach has to be found to problems such as pollution and global climate change as well as having common instruments for [European] security, defence and foreign policy.' As it is clear that no single Member State has the ability to support an independent national space policy, the Green Paper hopes to increase general awareness and strategic importance of space policy for the Union. In agreement with the paper, Mr Busquin called upon the Convention to debate the inclusion of provisions for space in the new treaty. In order to 'radically re-examine Europe's place in space', Mr Busquin announced that a consultation, managed by an ESA /Commission joint task force, will run from 22 January to 30 May 2003. It is hoped that the consultation will find concrete answers to questions concerning access, funding and institutional arrangements. To foster the debate further, a series of seminars, workshops and hearings will take place across Europe. A White Paper will be drafted by the Commission and published later in 2003, putting forward concrete proposals in an action plan.