The EU and Russia are getting closer in space activities. The Head of the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation (Roscosmos) Anatoliy Perminov, the Director General of the European Space Agency Jean-Jacques Dordain and European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen signed a joint document to enhance bilateral cooperation in space activities. The enhanced cooperation encompasses space applications (satellite navigation, earth observation and satellite communications), access to space (launchers and future space transportation systems), space exploration and the use of the International Space Station (ISS) and space technologies development.

Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen responsible for enterprise and industry policy said: "An enhanced cooperation with Russia in the space sector will have a very positive impact on the development of the European Space Programme. Working together, using existing synergies will make our space policy more effective and will bring considerable benefits for the citizens of the EU."

The Head of the Federal Space Agency of the Russian Federation (Roscosmos), Anatoliy Perminov said: "After the agreement of the main areas for economic cooperation between the EU and Russia it is now our task to substantiate the programme for cooperation in the space sector and to establish a structure for an efficient coordination. "

ESA Director-General Jean-Jacques Dordain said: "ESA has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Roscosmos. We work together successfully in many programmes. The high level political dialogue will provide new opportunities for our future cooperation."

Both sides have established a structured dialogue on space activity cooperation (the "space dialogue"), in particular in the following areas:

• Collaboration in the utilisation of space in:
• Earth Observation
• Global Navigation (notably finalisation and implementation of the Galileo-GLONASS agreement and cooperation on the development of user applications
• Satellite communications
• Access to space and particular the development of the next generation of transportation systems
• Space science and exploration including the use of the International Space Station
• Space technology development

Background

At the St. Petersburg Summit in May 2003, the EU and Russia decided to create four 'common areas' for cooperation in the framework of the EU/Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement: economic; freedom, security and justice; external security;, research, education and culture. The agreement was signed at the Moscow summit in May 2005.

Within the Common Economic Space (CES), cooperation in space was identified as one priority sector (besides dialogues on regulatory and on industrial and enterprise issues, see IP/05/1547).

Joint initiatives will comprise potential projects of mutual interest. Their implementation will be done mainly through the established instruments of the 3 participating organisations: the ESA programmes, the space programme of the Russian Federation and the space work programme under the 7th EU Framework Programme for Research and Development. More information:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/space/index_en.html

JOINT STATEMENT

of the European Commission and the Federal Space Agency Roscosmos on the establishment of a EU-Russia Dialogue on Space Cooperation

In accordance with the provisions on space cooperation laid down in the EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and in particular the actions foreseen in chapter 5 of the Roadmap for the Common Economic Space, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Günter Verheugen, and the Head of the Federal Space Agency Roscosmos, Mr. Anatoliy Perminov, exchanged views on the enhancement of bilateral co-operation in the field of Space Exploration, Science and Technology and its applications.

Both sides reviewed with satisfaction and highly appreciated the fruitful co-operation in the Space sector between the Russian Federation and the European Union and agreed that the recently adopted long-term space programme of the Russian Federation and the European space strategy, which is taking shape, will provide a stable basis for strengthening partnership in all fields of space activities.

Both sides shared the view that Space Exploration, Science and Technology and its applications play a key role for economic and social development in Russia and the European Union and acknowledged the considerable potential benefits for civil society.

They expressed their intention to strengthen the partnership between the Russian and EU relevant institutions on the basis of a Dialogue on Space Cooperation, being established in the framework of the Common Economic Space.

Both parties will ensure the Space Dialogue will strengthen EU-Russia Cooperation in Space, in particular in:

• Collaboration in applied technologies including:

- Joint activities on Earth Observation

- Global Navigation (notably initiating, finalisation and implementation of the Galileo-GLONASS agreement and cooperation on user applications of existing and future GNSS)

- Satellite communications

• Access to space and space transportation systems
• Space science and exploration and the use of the International Space Station
• Space technology development

The Federal Space Agency and the European Commission, together with the European Space Agency, will establish an effective mechanism and necessary arrangements, including signing Terms of Reference EU-Russia Dialogue on Space Cooperation, to identify potential projects and actions of mutual interest and to coordinate their implementation in an efficient manner.

Done in Brussels, March 10, 2006.

Guenter Verheugen Anatoliy Perminov

Vice-President of the European Commission Head of Roscosmos