Mr President, we are indeed facing a very unusual situation and I am glad this debate is being held tonight, even though, sadly, very few Members are present in the Chamber. In the face of the international competition that has developed in the field of launchers, and considerable funding problems, the European space industry is undergoing a very serious, even unprecedented, crisis, and we therefore urgently need to overcome this situation which threatens the very existence of Arianespace and find solutions. I would like to emphasise the fact that access to space is not just an industrial priority – it is also a requirement in terms of European identity and autonomy in a field in which we have acquired substantial competence. Space is all about research and highly important civil applications. We often consider it to mean the conquest of space, but I personally would say that space is mainly what we call useful space – telecommunications, observation satellites, medicine and disaster prevention. It is an area of excellence and competence and also an important source of skilled employment, providing 35 000 direct jobs in Europe, with a significant research sector. As you are aware, I would like to emphasise the need for the space sector to serve mainly peaceful objectives. I would join other Members in welcoming the fact that the development of the European space policy has been deemed a priority for the Sixth Community Framework-Programme for research and development. I was also pleased to note that the future of the European Space Agency is on the agenda for our part-session. The European Space Agency is an effective intergovernmental coordination body that has contributed to the development of space applications in Europe and throughout the world. I therefore consider it necessary to establish a genuine European space policy with greater involvement of European Union competences in this field. I also believe that this is not incompatible with maintaining the autonomy of the Agency. The Union therefore needs to make a genuine commitment for the Agency to continue to develop as a coordinator and programme manager. Once again, I would like to reiterate what other Members have said. In order to establish an autonomous European policy we urgently need to overcome the impasse on the Galileo dossier and, at last – as we have endlessly repeated – ensure that the Member States overcome their differences to enact this programme and move towards its rapid implementation, relaunching the European launcher. I would, however, Commissioner – and I do not know whether this is a possibility – like the Commission to carry out a study on distortions in competition between Ariane and launchers from other countries on the civil commercial market. Although I share the concern and desire to make space a European project and concentrate on the necessary restructuring of the sector, I nevertheless have a few questions on the industrial restructuring that is currently underway, coming as I do from the Toulouse area. Under what conditions and for what purpose are they being carried out? I do not think that the European space sector suffers from increased competence. Quite the opposite. This would be to take a short-term view rather than an ambitious, long-term view. I believe that continuing to develop technological and human competence in the sector, rather than losing them, would be the real goal for Europe if, as stated, it is to possess an autonomous, competitive competence in this field. I too believe it is important to send a strong signal to the forthcoming Council of Ministers.

Political group: GUE-NGL