Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, this European Commission proposal is about developing a space policy not at the level of individual Member States but at the level of the European Union. It was drafted together with the European Space Agency and proposes three lines of approach: strengthening the foundation for space activities, enhancing scientific knowledge and reaping the benefits for markets and society. The report by the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy welcomes these lines of approach and acknowledges the overall benefit of developing space activities. In fact, the development of launch systems is prerequisite to any other space activity. We can build in this sector on the experience and technical know-how which the Member States have acquired over several decades, especially from the Ariane launch system. The second line of approach is a perfectly natural one, in that space is an ideal place for carrying out research which cannot be carried out on earth, such as astronomic research into radiation which cannot penetrate the earth's atmosphere, research under conditions of zero gravity etc. The third line of approach is very broad and covers everything we call space applications. These applications range from satellite telecommunications to navigation and earth observation systems and have become an integral part of our daily life. I should like to stress here that, if mankind is to benefit from space activities, then space must not be used as a platform for strategic competition. It is highly significant, in my view, that the committee report emphasizes in the very first paragraph that space activities should only be intended for peaceful purposes. I am particularly worried by the amendment proposing to add the phrase “which purposes may include strategic applications within the context of peaceful operations”. If we adopt this amendment, we shall be opening the door to all manner of strategic activities in space, provided they are cloaked in the mantle of a “peaceful operation” and we have seen plenty of them on earth over recent years. In short, this is a Trojan horse that will change the tone of the report and allow all hell to break loose. I call on all my fellow Members to keep to the Commission text. I also propose that they adopt Amendments Nos 2, 3 and 4 from Mr Souladakis’s opinion. I must stress that taking a stand against the militarisation of space is terribly important, especially following the recent decision by the United States’ government to withdraw from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Agreement and its insistence on developing the so-called anti-missile shield. I tabled Amendment No 5 because I wanted to put the implications of this action on the record. May I also point out that, in my personal opinion, certain aspects of the proposed GMES programme involve strategic activities. The application of space policy is also the subject of this debate. The European Space Agency has operated on a transnational basis on our continent for several years now and has played a pivotal role in developing the space activities of European countries. It is therefore only natural that there should be close collaboration between the European Union and the European Space Agency and we have already reaped rewards from this collaboration. The committee report notes the role of the European Space Agency and proposes that it be integrated into the European Union in the long term, but without losing its independence. I must say that I personally am against this. What worries me is that, if this happens, the European Space Agency will lose the independence which has helped it emerge as a global player. International collaboration is a sine qua non in the space sector and the committee report refers favourably to it, stressing the need for international collaboration to be developed not just with the Russian Federation, the United States, China and Japan, but also with less developed countries for which the European Union could provide access to space. Finally, I should like to raise the subject of funding. As we all know, access to space has its rewards but does not come cheap. Τhe Sixth Framework Programme for funding research classifies space and aeronautics as a priority sector. That may show willing, but it is not enough. We do not just want a more general commitment, we need a more general commitment. Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, today's debate is important to the future of the European Union's space policy. I trust that the direction taken in the final vote will be to the benefit of our nations and mankind as a whole.

Political group: GUE-NGL