MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
12 May 2003
pursuant to Rule 37(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Sylviane H. Ainardi, Konstantinos Alyssandrakis, Armando Cossutta and Ilda Figueiredo
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the Ministerial meeting of the European Space Agency of 27 May 2003
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B5-0246/2003
B5‑0259/2003
European Parliament resolution on the Ministerial meeting of the European Space Agency of 27 May 2003
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on space policy in the EU and on GALILEO,
– having regard to the Commission communications on Community research,
– having regard to the Sixth Community Framework Programme for research and technological development,
– having regard to the preparatory work for the ministerial meeting of the European Space Agency of 27 May 2003,
A. whereas the European Council meeting in Barcelona decided to step up investment in research and technological development in the EU, seeking to achieve 3% of GDP by 2010,
B. whereas a major research issue to which priority must be given concerns the cost and capacity utilisation of large-scale facilities which are generally outside not only the scope but also the needs of the individual Member States,
C. whereas the development of large-scale facilities is a matter of priority, in particular with regard to particle accelerators, radiation and neutron sources, astronomic observation centres, satellites and experimental air and space navigation systems,
D. whereas it is essential to develop the utilisation of space in the general and public interest,
E. whereas the European Space Agency (ESA) is an effective instrument of intergovernmental coordination, contributing to the development of space applications in Europe and the world,
F. having regard to the gravity of the crisis in the EU space sector, particularly in view of the financial difficulties afflicting Arianespace,
G. whereas the development of research and technology in the space sector must not become subject to conditions imposed by competition and market conditions in the absence of public financing,
H. particularly concerned that the GALILEO programme remains blocked, partly as a result of pressure from the United States, which is strongly opposed to it,
1. Welcomes the fact that space policy in the EU has been given priority under the Sixth Community Framework Programme for research and technological development;
2. Stresses that activities linked to space must serve peaceful objectives; opposes, therefore, the militarisation of space policies which must be based on non-proliferation and abandonment of the arms race;
3. Supports the increasingly close cooperation between the ESA and the EU which must be strengthened, provided that the ESA maintains its independence and does not become integrated within Community mechanisms;
4. Considers it necessary, particularly for the EU Member States which are members of the European Space Agency, to provide financial aid for Arianespace and the strengthening of space policy within the EU:
5. Calls on the Commission to draw up and table a survey of distortions of competition between Ariane and third-country launchers on the civil market;
6. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the Member States to agree to build on the level of competence and expertise acquired in the field of space technologies;
7. Reaffirms the need for the EU to have independent access to space through mastery of the appropriate technologies;
8. Therefore calls for the GALILEO programme to be implemented rapidly in accordance with commitments given;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the European Space Agency.