You know, it’s a tired old joke to describe European policymaking by stringing together a list of diplomacy-related synonyms for “talk”, but this press release from ESA on last week’s Space Council discussions reads like that:
The first ever European ‘Space Council’ was held in Brussels today. This is a major political milestone for Europe in Space, offering ministers representing the 27 European Union (EU) and/or European Space Agency (ESA) Member States the first opportunity to jointly discuss the development of a coherent overall European space programme…In today’s meeting ministers recognised that it is essential to utilise the available resources in an efficient and effective way so that the supply of space-based services and infrastructures can meet the demand from users, such as the European Union’s policies, Member States’ policies and for the benefit of all European citizens. The ministers also agreed that the unique nature of the space sector requires the development of an appropriate industrial policy and public authorities close attention…The European space programme, to be defined in concept by the end of 2005, will constitute a common, inclusive and flexible platform encompassing all activities and measures to be undertaken by the EC, ESA and other stakeholders (e.g. national organisations) in order to achieve the objectives set in the overall European space policy. To this end, a second “Space Council” meeting is planned for Spring 2005 to define general governance principles, identify priorities as well as the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders and establish industrial policy principles.
One more reason to think twice about international cooperation.