Translation of "Space technology programme " (English → French) :

Europe is currently one of the three leading space powers mainly driven by investments by Member States through ESA and national programmes , but compared to the level of investment in space RD in the United States of America (e.g. about 20 % of the total NASA budget), the European focus in future space technologies and applications needs to be strengthened along the entire chain:

2. Stresses the need, before deciding on new initiatives and EU budget contributions, to clarify first the EU’s level of ambition especially with regard to its strategic and geopolitical objectives; notes the fact that the communication does not define the relationship between EU space industrial policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); believes that EU space policy should be seen as an asset to the CSDP, providing a better synergy between civilian space means and military space means mirroring the CSDP’s own dual civilian and military role; calls on the Commission, the Member States and the VP/HR to define clearly th ...[+++]e potential contribution of this sector to CSDP, the nature and degree of civil-military synergies, the role for such technologies in the effective deployment of humanitarian aid operations and for predicting migration flows and patterns following conflicts or natural disasters, and the relevance for CSDP missions and operations and other EU actions in the field of conflict prevention, arms control, the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) technologies, counter-terrorism, migration and border control; calls on the Commission and the Member States to inform Parliament about plans to use the Copernicus programme and the public-regulated service of the Galileo programme in support of CSDP missions and operations;

d. Is an EU project par excellence due to the fact that it is a Technological and Space-related programme that no individual Member State can do it on its own.

Indeed, in the case of China, a financial partner in the Galileo programme, we cannot ignore the political origin and the potentially dangerous military interests, a field in which space technology can also be used by missiles.

12. Welcomes the high priority given to strengthening the Union's RD effort, not least through the establishment of a European research council, and the emphasis on the importance of the Seventh Research Framework Programme in contributing to the Lisbon goal of developing a knowledge-based economy; in this context, urges the Commission to present a proposal providing for concrete support for basic and innovative research - focusing on specific innovations such as hydrogen cells, solar energy, biotechnology, space technology and cleaner cars - as well doubling financial support (in terms of the ratio to GDP of the EU-25, compared to that ...[+++] for the EU-15 under the sixth programme);

ensure a broad and efficient technological base maintained through research and demonstration programmes: the EU, the ESA, the national players and the industry have established various instruments (the space technology plan, the Seventh Framework RTD Programme and the national research programmes).