Brussels, 11 Mar 2004

The Council had an exchange of views on European space policy on the basis of the Commission White Paper of November 2003, which outlines a detailed set of space policy actions and also suggests a road map for a "European Space Programme", as well as of the Communication on GMES (Global monitoring for environment and security).

Bearing in mind the need to have a co-ordinated approach by the Community, European Space Agency (ESA) and Member States in 2004, as outlined in the Commission' s White Paper, Ministers examined the following questions:

1. the general approach and priorities of the White Paper and the respective roles and responsibilities of different actors, in particular the Community and ESA in the context of the EC/ESA Framework Agreement;

2. the time-scale of and approach to further development of space policies in the short term which could be discussed and undertaken jointly with the ESA, possibly via an informal "Space Council";

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3. the aspects or lines of action of the White Paper on which the Commission could begin work during 2004;

4. the approach the Commission should have to ongoing and future space projects included under the Quick Start initiative, such as GMES (Global monitoring for environment and security).

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Ministers agreed to pursue reflection on the issues raised in the Commission's Communication with a view to holding an informal joint meeting of the EU/ESA Council before of 2004.

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