Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between the European Community and the European Space Agency
Date: 2004-06-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Space Agency, budget, cooperation agreement (EU), research and development, space policy, space technology

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 24.3.2004 
COM(2004) 85 final/2 

2004/0028 (CNS) 

CORRIGENDUM 
Annule et remplace la base juridique  
du document COM(2004) 85 final  
2004/0028 (CNS), du 11.2.2004 (page 4). 
Cette correction concerne toutes les versions  
linguistiques. 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between the European Community and 
the European Space Agency 

(presented by the Commission) 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
  
1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

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2 
3 
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5 
6 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The Framework Agreement between the European Community, on the one part, and 
the European Space Agency, on the other part, identifies cooperation on space as an 
area of particular interest and potential, which will contribute to European cohesion 
and economic growth at the direct service of European citizens. 

Following  the  Communication  “Europe  and  Space:  Turning  to  a  new  chapter”1  of 
2000 and the subsequent ESA and EU Council Resolutions on the European Space 
Strategy,  a  Joint  Task  Force  was  set  up  by  the  European  Commission  and  the 
Executive of ESA. 

In its report from 2001, the Joint Task assessed all aspects of the co-operation between 
the European Union and the European Space Agency. The report formed the basis for 
the Communication of the Commission entitled “Towards a European Space Policy”.2  

One of the main conclusions of the Communication was that a successful development 
and implementation of a European Space Policy requires the establishment of a formal 
(Framework Agreement) relation between the European Community and the European 
Space  Agency,  which  defines  the  principles  and  mechanisms  of  a  reinforced  co-
operation. 

Accordingly,  the  Commission  adopted  on  February  14,  2002  a  Communication 
“Framework  Agreement  between  the  European  Community  and  the  European  Space 
Agency”,3 in which it outlined its perception of the main contents of such an agreement 
and in which it proposed to the council to negotiate such an agreement on behalf of the 
Community. 

The  Framework  Agreement  was  negotiated  in  accordance  with  the  EU  Council  and 
ESA-Executive mandates,4 by the authorized representatives of the two parties. 

The  Commission  submitted  to  the  Council  a  proposal  for  a  Council  Decision 
authorising the signing of the above mentioned Agreement. The Council adopted this 
decision on October 20,2003 and the Agreement was signed on November 25, 2003 
in Brussels, by the authorized representatives of the two parties. 

In addition, the Framework Agreement also plays a major role in the development of 
an  European  Space  Policy,  as  indicated  in  the  White  paper  entitled,  “Space:  a  new 
European  frontier  for  an  expanding  Union.  An  action  plan  for  implementing  the 
European  Space  policy”,5  issued  as  a  response  to  the  Green  paper  on  a  “European 
Space Policy”.6 

This  Framework  Agreement,  to  be  concluded  for  a  period  of  four  years,  shall  be 
automatically  extended  for  subsequent  periods  of  four  years  unless  written 

COM(2000) 597 
COM(2001) 718 
SEC(2002) 155 
doc. 8488/02 RECH 80 RESTREINT and ESA/C-M/CLIV/Res. 1 (Final) 
COM(2003) 673 
COM(2003) 17 final 

2 

 
 
  
 
                                                 
notification of any of the parties of the intention to terminate it, notification to be due 
at least one year prior to the expiration of any of the periods of duration. 

10. 

The Agreement is based on the principles of efficiency and mutual benefit in order to 
avoid any duplication of effort to achieve a coherent and progressive development of 
an overall European Space Policy. 

11. 

The Agreement provides for: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

A  link  between  demand  for  services  and  applications  using  space  systems  in 
support of the Community policies. 

Common basis and appropriate operational arrangements. 

Cooperation mechanisms subject to the applicable laws, tasks and regulations 
in force on each side, including financial provisions, and in full respect of their 
institutional settings. 

Cooperation  objectives:  securing  Europe’s  independence  access  to  space; 
ensuring  that  the  European  Space  Policy  takes  into  particular  account  the 
policies  pursued  by  the  Community;  consolidate  the  cooperation  between  the 
Parties,  linking  demand  and  supply  and,  achieving  coherence  and  synergy  of 
research and development to optimise resources. 

12. 

In the light of the above-mentioned considerations, the Commission proposes that the 
Council: 

– 

– 

approves on behalf of the Community, and after consultation of the European 
Parliament, the Framework Agreement between the European Community and 
the European Space Agency; 

notify  to  the  European  Space  Agency  that  the  procedures  necessary  for  the 
entry  into  force  of  the  Agreement  have  been  completed  on  the  part  of  the 
European Community. 

3 

 
 
  
 
2004/0028 (CNS) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between the European Community and 
the European Space Agency 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 
170, in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300 (2) and the 
first subparagraph of Article 300 (3) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

The Commission has negotiated on behalf of the Community an Agreement with the 
European Space Agency; 

The  Agreement  has  been  signed  on  behalf  of  the  European  Community,  on  the  25th 
November 2003 subject to its possible conclusion at a later date; 

(3) 

This Agreement should be approved, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:  

Article 1 

The Agreement between the European Community and the European Space Agency is hereby 
approved on behalf of the Community. 

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. 

4 

 
 
  
 
Article 2 

The  President  of  the  Council  is  hereby  authorized  to  designate  the  person  empowered  to 
deposit on behalf of the European Community the act of approval, as provided for in Article 
12,  paragraph  1  of  the  Framework  Agreement,  in  order  to  express  the  consent  of  the 
Community to be bound. 

This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 

Done at Brussels,  

For the Council 
The President 

5 

 
 
  
 
 
 
FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT  

BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY 

The European Community, 

and 

The European Space Agency, 

(hereafter also collectively referred to as “the Parties”) 

WHEREAS the European Community and the European Space Agency ("ESA") consider that 
closer  cooperation  between  them  will  strengthen  the  peaceful  use  of  space  as  an  important 
tool  to  contribute  to  European  cohesion  and  economic  growth  and  will  allow  space-related 
activities  to  be  brought  to  a  wider  political,  economic,  scientific,  environmental  and  social 
framework more directly at the service of European citizens; 

WHEREAS  each  Party  is  confident  that  such  cooperation  will  create  added  value  for  the 
benefit of European citizens; 

WHEREAS  the  Parties  recognise  that  they  have  specific  complementary  and  mutually 
reinforcing strengths and are committed to cooperating in an efficient and mutually beneficial 
manner and to avoiding any unnecessary duplication of effort; 

WHEREAS  space  technology  has  become  a  unique  and  critical  technology  enabling  the 
Community to address and achieve a large number of the goals of its policies, notably related 
to information society, transport and environmental protection; 

HAVING  REGARD  TO  the  various  Resolutions  adopted  by  the  EU  Council7  and  by  the 
ESA Council8  and  to  the  EU  Council  Conclusions  of  10 December 2001,  the  said  two 
Councils  have  encouraged  the  establishment  of  a  framework  for  cooperation  between  the 
Parties, while maintaining their respective distinct tasks and responsibilities; 

WHEREAS  Decision  No  676/2002  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of 
7 March 2002  on  a  regulatory  framework  for  radio  spectrum  policy  in  the  European 
Community  ("Radio  Spectrum  Decision")  is  relevant,  given  that  any  space  systems  or 
applications will depend on the availability of radio frequencies, 

7 

8 

The EU Council Resolutions of 22 June 1998 (OJ C 224, p.1), 2 December 1999 (OJ C 375, p. 1), 16 
November 2000, (OJ C 371, p. 2). 
The  ESA  resolutions  of:  23  June  1998:  ESA/C/CXXXVI/Res.1  (Final),  11 May 1999:  ESA/C-
M/CXLI/Res.  1  (Final);  ESA/C(2000)67;  ESA/C-M/CXLVIII/Res.  1  (Final),  16.11.2000,  referring  to 
the European Strategy for Space; ESA/C-M/CLIV/Res. 1 (Final), 15.11.2001; ESA/C-M/CLXV/Res.3 
(Final), 27.5.2003. 

6 

 
 
  
 
                                                 
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 

ARTICLE 1 

Purpose of the Cooperation 

The aim of this Framework Agreement is to address the following issues: 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

The  coherent  and  progressive  development  of  an  overall  European  Space  Policy. 
Specifically, this policy shall seek to link demand for services and applications using 
space systems in support of the Community policies with the supply of space systems 
and infrastructure necessary to meet that demand. 

The  establishment  of  a  framework  providing  a  common  basis  and  appropriate 
operational  arrangements  for  an  efficient  and  mutually  beneficial  cooperation 
between the Parties with regard to space activities in accordance with their respective 
tasks  and  responsibilities  and  fully  respecting  their  institutional  settings  and 
operational frameworks. The cooperation under this Framework Agreement between 
the Parties aims at: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

securing  Europe's  independent  and  cost-effective  access  to  space  and  the 
development of other fields of strategic interest necessary for the independent 
use and application of space technologies in Europe; 

ensuring  that  the  overall  European  Space  Policy  takes  into  particular  account 
the general policies pursued by the European Community; 

supporting  Community  policies  by  using  space  technologies  and  space 
infrastructures  where  appropriate  and  promoting  the  use  of  space  systems  in 
support of sustainable development, economic growth and employment; 

optimising the use of expertise and available resources and contributing to the 
consolidation of the close cooperation between the European Community and 
ESA,  thereby  linking  the  demand  and  supply  of  space  systems  within  a 
strategic partnership; 

achieving greater coherence and synergy of research and development in order 
to optimise the use of resources available in Europe, including the network of 
technical centres. 

ARTICLE 2 

Principles of Cooperation 

The  cooperation  between  the  Parties  shall  be  pursued  in  the  light  of  the  common 
objectives  as  defined  under  Article 1,  with  due  regard  to  their  respective  tasks  and 
responsibilities and their respective institutional settings and operational frameworks. 

Each  Party  shall  take  the  decisions  necessary  for  the  implementation  of  this 
Agreement, as described in Article 4, in accordance with its own internal procedures. 

7 

 
 
  
 
3. 

Bearing in mind the nature of space technologies and infrastructures, both Parties, in 
implementing this Agreement, shall take into account their security dimension. 

ARTICLE 3 

Fields of Cooperation 

1. 

The Parties have identified the following specific fields of cooperation: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

science 

technology 

earth observation 

navigation 

communication by satellite 

human space flight and micro-gravity 

launchers 

spectrum policy related to space. 

2. 

The Parties may identify and develop new fields for cooperation. 

ARTICLE 4 

Implementation 

1. 

2. 

3. 

For the implementation of this Agreement each Party shall undertake, in compliance 
with  its  own  prerogatives,  legal  instruments  and  procedures,  such  actions  as  are 
required to achieve the purpose of the cooperation provided for in Article 1. 

Such actions shall aim at fostering the utilisation of space research and development 
and  space  applications  in  the  public  and  private  sectors,  the  promotion  of  the 
adoption  of  legislative,  regulatory  and  standardisation  measures  in  this  sector,  the 
funding and carrying out of joint initiatives pursuant to Article 5. 

Each Party shall refer to the competencies and capabilities of the other, whenever an 
action is necessary, to pursue the purpose of the cooperation, and shall provide the 
other Party with expertise and support in its own specific fields of competence. 

8 

 
 
  
 
ARTICLE 5 

Joint initiatives 

1. 

Subject to paragraph 3, the joint initiatives to be carried out by the Parties may take, 
without being limited to, the following forms: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

the management by  the ESA of European  Community  space-related  activities 
in accordance with the rules of the European Community; 

the participation by the European Community in an optional programme of the 
European  Space  Agency,  in  accordance  with  Article  V.I.b  of  the  ESA 
Convention; 

the  carrying  out  of  activities  which  are  coordinated,  implemented  and  funded 
by both Parties; 

the  creation  by  the  Parties  of  bodies  charged  with  pursuing  initiatives 
complementary to research and development activities, such as the provision of 
services,  the  promotion  of  operators  formation  and  the  management  of 
infrastructures; 

the carrying out of studies, the organisation of scientific seminars, conferences, 
symposia  and  workshops,  the  training  of  scientists  and  technical  experts,  the 
exchange or sharing of equipment and materials, the access to facilities, and the 
support of visits and exchanges of scientists, engineers or other specialists.  

2. 

When the implementation of a joint initiative requires a detailed definition, it shall be 
provided  for  in  specific  arrangements  to  be  entered  into  between  the  Parties. 
Whenever applicable, such specific arrangements should include at least: 

a) 

the overall mission definition; 

b) 

a description of the objectives; 

c) 

a consolidated set of user requirements; 

d) 

a work plan; 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

i) 

an appropriate management scheme; 

the role and financial implications of the Parties; 

an industrial policy scheme; 

budgetary aspects; 

rules of intellectual property rights, rules of ownership including the transfer of 
ownership,  the  implementation  principles  including  voting  rights,  and  the 
participation by third Parties. 

9 

 
 
  
 
Both  Parties  shall  work  out  guiding  principles  in  addition  to  these  specific  arrangements  as 
soon as possible. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Any  financial  contribution  made  by  one  Party  in  accordance  with  a  specific 
arrangement  shall  be  governed  by  the  financial  provisions  applicable  to  that  Party. 
Under no circumstances shall the European Community be bound to apply the rule of 
"geographical distribution" contained in the ESA Convention and specially in Annex 
V thereto. Compliance with the rules relating to financial control and auditing of the 
Party  contributing  to  the  joint  initiatives,  or  of  both  Parties  in  case  of  joint 
contribution, shall apply to any joint activity. 

ARTICLE 6 

Consultation and information 

The Parties shall consult each other regularly in order to coordinate their activities to 
the fullest extent. Each Party shall inform the other of any initiatives within its own 
decision-making process, in the fields of cooperation under Article 3, which may be 
of interest to the other Party. 

The  Parties  shall  exchange  all  information  at  their  disposal  which  may  be  required 
for the implementation of this Agreement, subject to their respective rules.  

Except  when  otherwise  provided,  the  Parties  shall  not  disclose  any  information 
exchanged  in  connection  with  this  Agreement  to  any  persons  other  than  those 
employed by them or officially entitled to handle such information nor shall they use 
it  for  commercial  purposes.  Such  disclosure  shall  extend  only  so  far  as  may  be 
necessary for the purpose of this Agreement set out in Article 1 and shall be in strict 
confidence. 

ARTICLE 7 

External dimension of the cooperation 

Each Party shall inform the other of its activities of an international dimension which 
may be of interest to the other Party. 

Whenever  appropriate  a  Party  may,  in  relation  to  any  matters  relevant  to  its 
international activities, consult the other Party.  

Once a specific arrangement has been concluded between the parties in accordance 
with Article 5, the external aspects of this joint activity vis-à-vis third parties shall be 
pursued jointly by the parties in accordance with that specific arrangement. 

10 

 
 
  
 
ARTICLE 8 

Coordination and facilitation of cooperative activities 

1. 

The coordination and facilitation of cooperative activities under this Agreement shall 
be  accomplished  by  regular  joint  and  concomitant  meetings  of  the  Council  of  the 
European Union and of the Council of ESA at ministerial level ("Space Council"). 

2. 

The objectives of the joint and concomitant meetings shall include the following: 

a) 

providing  orientations  supporting  the  achievement  of  the  objectives  of  this 
Agreement and identifying actions required; 

b)  making  recommendations,  in  particular  related  to  the  main  elements  of  the 

specific arrangements; 

c) 

advising  the  parties  on  ways  to  enhance  cooperation  consistent  with  the 
principles set out in this Agreement; 

d) 

reviewing the effective and efficient functioning of this Agreement. 

A Secretariat shall assist the concomitant meetings and shall elaborate the initiatives 
deriving from the implementation of this Agreement. The Secretariat shall implement 
the  guidelines  provided  by  the  concomitant  meetings  of  the  two  Councils.  The 
Secretariat shall establish its own rules of procedure and be composed of officials of 
the  Commission  of  the  European  Communities  and  of  the  ESA  Executive.  The 
Parties shall undertake, in accordance with their respective rules and procedures, to 
contribute to the required administrative support. 

Without prejudice to the Parties' internal decision-making procedures, the Secretariat 
shall  consult  on  a  regular  and  informal  basis  high-level  representatives  of  the 
Member  States  of  the  European  Community  and  of  the  European  Space  Agency, 
with  the  purpose  of  reaching  common  understanding  on  issues  related  to  the 
implementation of this Agreement. 

ARTICLE 9 

Exchange of personnel 

The Parties may second members of their staff to each other for specified periods in 
order to share expertise and develop mutual understanding. 

Rules for the implementation of this Article shall be established by the Secretariat, as 
referred to in Article 8, and be agreed to in the form of a specific arrangement under 
this Framework Agreement. 

3. 

4. 

1. 

2. 

11 

 
 
  
 
1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

1. 

2. 

ARTICLE 10 

Public relations 

The  Parties  undertake  to  coordinate  in  advance  their  public-relations,  press  and 
media activities concerning any joint public activities relating to subjects covered by 
this Agreement. 

In  all  relevant  media  activities,  the  role  of  each  Party  in  this  Agreement  shall  be 
clearly identified and mentioned.  

The detailed arrangements for implementing public relations activities provided for 
in this Article shall be adopted jointly. 

ARTICLE 11 

Settlement of disputes 

Any  disputes  which  may  arise  between  the  Parties  relating  to  the  interpretation  or 
application  of  this  Agreement  shall  be  submitted  for  direct  negotiations  within  the 
Secretariat. 

If it is not possible to settle the dispute in accordance with paragraph 1, either of the 
two Parties may notify the other of the appointment of an arbitrator. The other Party 
shall then appoint its own arbitrator within a period of two months.  The  arbitrators 
shall then appoint a third arbitrator within one month. 

The arbitrators' decisions shall be taken by majority vote. 

The award of the Arbitration Tribunal shall be final and binding on the Parties. 

Each Party to the dispute shall take the appropriate steps required to implement the 
arbitrators' decisions. 

ARTICLE 12 

Entry into force, duration, amendments and termination 

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last written communication 
by  which  the  Parties  notify  each  other  that  their  respective  internal  procedures 
necessary for its entry into force have been completed. 

This  Agreement  shall  remain  in  force  for  four  years  from  the  date  of  its  entry  into 
force. It shall be automatically extended for subsequent periods of four years unless 
either  of  the  Parties  notifies  the  other  Party  in  writing,  at  least  one  year  before  the 
expiry  of  any  of  its  periods  of  duration,  of  its  intention  to  terminate  it. 

This Agreement shall terminate upon the expiry of twelve months after the receipt of 
written notification by one Party sent by the other Party. 

12 

 
 
  
 
 
3. 

4. 

5. 

The  termination  or  expiry  of  this  Agreement  shall  not  affect  the  validity  of  the 
specific arrangements entered into between the Parties in accordance with Article 5, 
which  shall  remain  in  full  force  and  effect  until  the  terms  for  their  execution  or 
termination take place. 

This Agreement shall be amended only by written agreement between the Parties. 

This  Agreement  is  not  intended  to  modify  or  supersede  any  previous  agreements 
entered  into  between  the  Parties,  which  shall  remain  in  full  force  and  effect  in 
accordance with their own terms and provisions. 

ARTICLE 13 

Signature and authenticity 

This  Agreement  shall  be  drawn  up  in  duplicate  in  the  Danish,  Dutch,  English,  Finnish, 
French,  German,  Greek,  Italian,  Norwegian,  Portuguese,  Spanish  and  Swedish  languages, 
each of these texts being equally authentic.  

13 

 
 
  
 
LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

Policy area(s): Research and Development 

Activit(y/ies): Space 

TITLE OF ACTION: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ON CONCLUSION OF THE FRAMEWORK 
AGREEMENT  BETWEEN  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITY  AND  THE  EUROPEAN  SPACE 
AGENCY 

1. 

BUDGET LINE(S) + HEADING(S) 

BGUE-B2004-08 01 05 03 

Other Management expenditure for Research 

2. 

OVERALL FIGURES  

2.1. 

Total allocation for action (Part B): 0.168€ million for commitment 

The  only  direct  cost  implication  of  the  Framework  Agreement  (details  see  below) 
derives  from  the  intention  of  both  Parties,  as  indicated  in  Article  5,  to  negotiate 
guiding principles for future joint initiatives. The corresponding new negotiations are 
expected to last until the end of 2004. 

2.2. 

Period of application: 

The  Framework  Agreement  between  the  European  Community  and  the  European 
Space Agency is intended to last at least for four years. 

2.3. 

Overall multiannual estimate of expenditure: 

(a) 

Schedule  of  commitment  appropriations/payment  appropriations 
intervention) (see point 6.1.1) 

(financial 

€ million (to three decimal places) 

2004 

2005 

2006 

2007 

Commitments 

0.042 

0.042 0.042 

0.042 

Payments 

0.042 

0.042  0.042 

0.042 

Total 

0.168 

0.168 

(b) 

Technical and administrative assistance and support expenditure(see point 6.1.2) 

Commitments 

Payments 

14 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subtotal a+b 

Commitments 

Payments 

(c) 

Overall  financial  impact  of  human  resources  and  other  administrative  expenditure 
(see points 7.2 and 7.3) 

0.864 

0.864 

0.864 

0.864 

3.456 

Commitments/ 
payments 

TOTAL a+b+c 

Commitments 

0.906 

0.906 

0.906 

0.906 

Payments 

0.906 

0.906 

0.906 

0.906 

3.624 

3.624 

2.4. 

Compatibility with financial programming and financial perspective 

(YES) Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming. 

(NO)  Proposal  will  entail  reprogramming  of  the  relevant  heading  in  the  financial 
perspective. 

(NO)  Proposal  may  require  application  of  the  provisions  of  the  Interinstitutional 
Agreement. 

2.5. 

Financial impact on revenue:9 

(YES)  Proposal  has  no  financial  implications  (involves  technical  aspects  regarding 
implementation of a measure) 

OR 

(NO) Proposal has financial impact – the effect on revenue is as follows: 

(NB All details and observations relating to the method of calculating the effect on 
revenue should be shown in a separate annex.) 

Budget line 

Revenue 

(€ million to one decimal place) 

Prior to
action 
[Year 
n-1] 

[Yea
r n] 

Situation following action 

[n+1] [n+2] [n+3

[n+4]  [n+5] 

] 

a) Revenue in absolute terms 

b) Change in revenue 

 ∆ 

9 

For further information, see separate explanatory note. 

15 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
(Please specify each budget line involved, adding the appropriate number of rows 
to the table if there is an effect on more than one budget line.) 

3. 

BUDGET CHARACTERISTICS 

Type of expenditure 

New 

EFTA 
contribution 

Contributions 
form applicant 
countries 

Heading in 
financial 
perspective 

Non-comp 

Non-diff 

NO 

YES 

YES 

No 3 

4. 

LEGAL BASIS  

Article 170 of EC-Treaty 

Article 300 of EC-Treaty 

5. 

DESCRIPTION AND GROUNDS 

5.1. 

Need for Community intervention 10 

5.1.1.  Objectives pursued 

Europe  needs  to  develop  and  implement  a  European  Space  Policy,  a  task  that 
depends critically on the co-operation between the European Union and the European 
Space Agency. 

Therefore,  it  is  proposed  to  conclude  the  negotiated  and  signed  Framework 
Agreement  between  the  European  Community  and  the  European  Space  Agency, 
which establishes for the first time joint goals and formal working relations. 

5.2. 

Action envisaged and budget intervention arrangements 

Regular  meetings  will  be  organized  with  the  European  Space  Agency  and  with 
Member  States  in  order  to  assess  the  implementation  of  this  Agreement.  The 
organisation of a “European Space Council is envisaged”. 

5.3.  Methods of implementation 

According to the terms of the Framework Agreement and in particular Article 4. 

6. 

FINANCIAL IMPACT 

The  only  costs  arising  from  the  initiative  is  Commission  internal  personnel  and 
mission costs.  

10 

For further information, see separate explanatory note. 

16 

 
 
  
 
                                                 
Funding  of  the  Commission’s  personnel  and  mission  costs  necessary  for  the 
negotiation of the model agreements shall be provided using the funds reserved to the 
Horizontal Activities of the DG RTD and within its global budget envelope. 

6.1. 

Total financial impact on Part B - (over the entire programming period) 

1)  Meetings 

in  Paris  every  second  month 

(with  5  people  attending) 

6 * 5 * 1000 € = 30000 € 

2)  Organisation  of  6  meetings  in  Brussels  (1000  €  expected  for  each) 

6 * 1000 € = 6000 € 

3)  Organisation of a European Space Council 6000 € 

6.1.1.  Financial intervention 

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places) 

Breakdown 

2004 

2005 

2006 

2007 

[n+4] 

Total 

[n+5 
and 
subs. 
Years] 

0.042 

0.042 

0.042 

0.042 

0.168 

Action 1 

Action 2 

etc. 

TOTAL  0.042 

0.042 

0.042 

0.042 

0.168 

17 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.1.2.  Technical  and  administrative  assistance,  support  expenditure  and  IT  expenditure 

(commitment appropriations) 

[Year 
n] 

[n+1] 

[n+2] 

[n+3] 

[n+4] 

Total 

[n+5 
and 
subs. 
years] 

1) 
administrative assistance 

Technical 

and 

Technical 

a) 
offices

assistance 

b)  Other 
administrative assistance: 

technical 

and 

- intra muros: 

- extra muros: 

of  which  for  construction 
and 
of 
maintenance 
computerised  management 
systems 

Subtotal 1 

2) Support expenditure 

a) Studies 

b) Meetings of experts 

c) Information and 
publications 

Subtotal 2 

TOTAL 

18 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.2. 

Calculation  of  costs  by  measure  envisaged  in  Part  B  (over  the  entire 
programming period)11 

(Where  there  is  more  than  one  action,  give  sufficient  detail  of  the  specific  measures  to  be 
taken for each one to allow the volume and costs of the outputs to be estimated.) 

Breakdown  

Commitments (in € million to three decimal places) 

Type  
of outputs 
(projects, files ) 

1 

Number of 
outputs 
(total for years 
1…n)  
2 

Average unit 
cost 

Total cost 
(total for years 
1…n)  

3 

4=(2X3) 

Action 1 
- Measure 1 
- Measure 2  
Action 2 
- Measure 1 
- Measure 2 
- Measure 3 
etc. 

TOTAL COST 

If necessary explain the method of calculation 

7. 

IMPACT ON STAFF AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE  

The Commission will mainly use the existing staff resources of the Space Policy Unit 
RTD/H4 (4A, 1B, 2C and 7 END). However resources for the implementation of the 
Agreement stemming from internal redeployment in DG RTD will be reported. 

The  needs  for  human  and  administrative  resources  shall  be  covered  within  the 
allocation  granted  to  the  managing  DG  in  the  framework  of  the  annual  allocation 
procedure. 

11 

For further information, see separate explanatory note. 

19 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
7.1. 

Impact on human resources 

Types of post 

Staff to be assigned to management of the 
action using existing and/or additional 
resources 

Number of 
permanent posts 

Number of 
temporary posts 

Total 

1 

A 

B 

C 

Officials 
temporary staff 

or 

3 (1 existing, 2 
additional required 
within existing 
RTD resources) 

1 (additional 
required within 
existing RTD 
resources) 

3 (2 existing, 1 
additional required 
within existing 
RTD resources) 

Other human resources 

Total 

7.2. 

1 

7 

Overall financial impact of human resources 

4 

1 

3 

8 

Description of tasks deriving from the 
action 

Development of the joint initiatives, 
(Art.5), support to the management 
structure (Art. 8) 

Documentation, archiving 

Administrative Support 

Type of human resources 

Amount (€) 

Method of calculation *  

Officials 

Temporary staff 

Other human resources 

1A 

Existing in H4 
1A + 2C 

Required within 
existing in RTD 

2A + 1B + 1C 

1 * 108000 

3 * 108000 

4 * 108000 

(specify budget line) 

Total 

864000 

864000 

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months. 

20 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.3. 

Other administrative expenditure deriving from the action 

Amount € 

Method of calculation 

Budget line 

(number and heading) 

Overall allocation (Title A7) 

A0701– Missions 

A07030 – Meetings 
A07031 – Compulsory committees 1 
A07032 – Non-compulsory committees 1 

A07040 – Conferences 

A0705 – Studies and consultations 

Other expenditure (specify) 

Information systems (A-5001/A-4300) 

Other expenditure - Part A (specify) 

Total 

The amounts are total expenditure for twelve months. 

1 Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs. 

I. 

II. 

Annual total (7.2 + 7.3) 

Duration of action 

III. 

Total cost of action (I x II) 

864000 € 

4 years 

3456000 € 

8. 

FOLLOW-UP AND EVALUATION 

8.1. 

Follow-up arrangements 

A  yearly  assess  the  implementation  of  the  Framework  Agreement  in  the  fields 
defined  in  Article  3.  Consultation  between  the  parties  is  regulated  in  Article  6. 
Coordination is regulated by Article 8. 

8.2. 

Arrangements and schedule for the planned evaluation 

Each one of the parties will yearly assess the effectiveness of the application of this 
agreement. Article 12 applies. 

9. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES 

In order to prevent risk of fraud or irregularity, the Commission, will, if needed or 
requested,  carry  out  financial  audits,  in  particular  when  doubts  will  raise  on  the 
financial aspects of the implementation of this Agreement. 

21