EU and Russia: A roadmap for the Common Economic Space (CES)

European Space Policy,
17 May 2005.

At the 15th EU-Russia Summit in Moscow, in May 2005, the leaders of the EU and Russia adopted a Roadmap for the Common Economic Space (CES), including a specific paragraph dedicated to “Space activities”. The objective is to build an effective system of cooperation and partnership between the EU and the Russian Federation in fields such as Access to space (Launchers and future Space Transportation Systems), Space applications (Satellite navigation, earth observation and satellite communications), Space exploration and the use of the International Space Station (ISS); Space Technologies Development.

The Common Economic Space (CES) is one of four common spaces which the EU and Russia decided to create at the Summit in St. Petersburg (May 2003), to reinforce their cooperation. The ultimate goal of the CES is to create an open and integrated market between the EU and Russia, to promote trade, investment and the competitiveness of our economic operators. The CES concept covers three main dimensions: liberalisation of trade and investment; regulatory convergence in priority economic fields; and integration of the EU’s and Russia’s infrastructure systems in energy, transport and telecommunications, as well as enhanced cooperation in areas such as the environment and space.

The work on a concrete ‘roadmap’ for the Common Economic Space, including specific objectives and actions, is now completed: see Road Map for the CES, “Building Blocks for Sustained Economic Growth”

A list of actions was agreed for space activities: (see pages 17-18 of above quoted "Road Map for the CES"):

Political cooperation to create favourable framework conditions in the field of space transportation, accompanying the cooperation between the European Space Agency and Russia; cooperation for the development of infrastructure for the launch of Russian SOYUZ-ST Launcher from the European Spaceport in the Guiana Space Centre.

Enhance and strengthen cooperation on Galileo and GLONASS GNSS including on compatibility and interoperability between the two systems and the creation of the conditions for industrial and technical cooperation, in the context of an intergovernmental agreement.

Provide appropriate environment for fruitful cooperation on Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programme and for joint projects in satellite communication systems.

Coordinate the EU and the Russian positions towards the Global Earth Observation initiative (GEO).

Continue cooperation and partnership in joint initiatives in space explorations, including Space Science on which relevant activities shall be carried out in the framework of the Common Space on Research and Education, including Culture.

Continue cooperation in the use of the ISS (International Space Station).

Support joint programmes and projects in Space Technology Development.

Setting up an expert group to establish an EU-Russia Dialogue on Space.

In the framework of the PCA institutions, establish a mechanism for cooperation to comply with the objectives agreed by the Parties.

Exchange information and ensure consultation on respective space programmes.