WRITTEN QUESTION E-0877/03

by Jean Lambert (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(21 March 2003)

Subject: European Commission document STAR 21 Strategic Aerospace Review for the 21st Century

The European Commission document STAR 21 Strategic Aerospace Review for the 21st Century, published in July 2002, looks at the future of the aerospace industry in the EU. It appears that this is combining both civil and military space development, which for many EU-citizens is a disturbing lack of distinction.

In this light,

- what plans does the Commission have to publish a different strategy for civil and military development, so that a clear distinction can be made;

- in the future, does the Commission intend to consult more widely societal interests on the issues, given that the STAR 21 programme was based on industry predictions?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 2003)

As the Commission indicated in its reply to Written Questions E-3536/02 and E-3537/02 by Mr Huhne(1), the members of the Advisory Group on Aerospace contributed in a personal capacity. Accordingly, the STAR 21 report represents the collective views of the Advisory Group and is not a Commission document. The Commission has, nevertheless, welcomed the report as a key contribution to improving the political and regulatory framework of Europe's aerospace industry and it encourages broad discussion among all interested parties on the STAR 21 recommendations.

As regards the distinction between civil and military programmes, the Commission notes that the Advisory Group, in highlighting a number of key characteristics of the aerospace industry, draws attention to the complementary nature of civil and defence products, noting that they share many of the same skills and technologies, yet meet the needs of two very different markets, both of which are economically important.

Space technology is one particular segment where the major developments in all key areas (launchers, earth observation, navigation or telecommunication) can potentially be used for applications on the civil or the defence side. Thus, space is very much a multiple-use industry. Recent examples include rocket technologies developed by the United States military (Delta 4 and Atlas 5) which are expected to be used to offer substantial numbers of launch services on the commercial market. Similar developments have taken place in Russia. On the other hand, Europe's commercial Ariane system does not benefit from similar defence investments.

These questions and others have again been raised in the January 2003 Commission Green Paper on European Space Policy(2). This document, which was drawn up in co-operation with the European Space Agency, is intended to launch a broad consultation process that will carry on until the end of May 2003. Based on the results of that process, the Commission intends to present its conclusions in form of a Space White Paper before the end of 2003.

On 11 March 2003 the Commission adopted a Communication (European Defence Industrial and Market Issues(3)) addressing defence related issues more specifically. It underlines that cost efficiency of defence spending, the maintenance of a competitive defence and technological industrial base, better access for European manufactured goods to third country markets, ethics and fairness in the arms trade, security of supply and the need to respect Member State prerogatives in this sensitive area are all important considerations when defining a defence equipment policy. The Parliament had invited the Commission to address these issues in a Resolution of 10 April 2002.

In proposing action to help establish such a European defence equipment market, the Commission is seeking to improve the regulatory framework governing the treatment of armaments in Europe. In addition, in the area of research linked to global security, the Commission will invite Member States, industry and the scientific community to help identify common needs and pool know-how and investments to jointly develop technologies that could be critical for Europe's long-term security. The Commission looks forward to the reaction of the other Institutions on the issues raised.

(1) OJ C 137 E, 12.6.2003, p. 224.

(2) COM(2003) 17 final.

(3) COM(2003) 113 final.