Space policy: coordination of the Union with the European Space Agency (ESA)

The European Parliament in its first reading adopted the resolution drafted by Konstantinos ALYSSANDRAKIS (GUE/NGL, Greece) on the Commission working document on a coherent European approach to space. The Parliament expressed a strong desire to see space used for peaceful purposes for the benefit of manking. it called on the Commission to involve all EU Member States actively in space research and applications. There is potentially enormous expansion in launch capacity needed to supply the demand for putting satellites in orbit. Negotiations should be opened with the world space powers, the USA, Russia, China, and Japan to collaborate on the development of launch vehicles and the creation of a Global Stationary Satellite Position that is not compromised by national security considerations. Parliament reiterated its support for the development of a world satellite navigation system with strong European participation (Galileo). It called on the Commission to draw up a proposal for Council and Parliament for a European Earth observation plan and an environmental monitoring service, and suggested that the ESA "Living planet" programme could be used as a base. In the light of its current political and economic position the EU has an obligation to support a global environmental and security monitoring initiative and the Commission should incorporate this into European space strategy.�