Paris, 20 June 2001.-  The WEU Assembly-ESDA Wednesday called for the European Union (EU) to coordinate Europe’s space activities.
 
A report by the technological and aerospace committee on European space strategy, which was adopted by the Assembly, said the WEU Council of Ministers should ask member and observer countries “to ensure that the European Union acts as coordinator for Europe’s space activities (in terms of observation, communications, navigation and early warning satellite systems) including the military component.”   
 
Among the factors to be taken into account are the need for interopability between Europe and its transatlantic allies, Russia’s offer to cooperate on satellite programmes, the possible creation of a space group similar to that set up by the WEU and greater coordination with the defence aerospace industry. The report recommended that the EU “lose no time” in defining Europe’s operational requirements and decide whether to participate in the multilateral European space-based observation system now being developed.   
 
The recommendation also urged the EU to give the WEU Satellite Centre “a status enabling it to adjust its work to the requirements of the Common European Security and Defence Policy.” The Centre, which will be transferred to the EU along with other WEU institutions, should be given more resources, greater independence and a wider range of tasks. It should be open to WEU associate members and associate partners and should report directly to the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the recommendation said.