Establishment of a European Space Agency

Recommendation 727 (1974)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 January 1974 (25th Sitting), according to the procedure for tacit adoption. See Doc. 3391, report of the Committee on Science and Technology.

The Assembly,

1. Recalling Recommendation 251(1960) proposing the setting up of a European Space Agency "to undertake a space programme based on a space vehicle developed and built in Europe", and subsequent recommendations, in particular Recommendation 698 unanimously adopted by the Assembly in January 1973 ;

2. Expressing its satisfaction that, after fourteen years of persistent efforts by the Assembly, European governments have, at the European Space Conferences in Brussels on 20 December 1972 and 31 July 1973, agreed to the establishment of a European Space Agency ;

3. Welcoming the agreement at these conferences on a European space policy, including the internationalisation of national programmes into a European space programme, a European launcher policy and participation in the post-Apollo programme, to be carried out and managed within a common European framework ;

4. Expressing the hope that these decisions of the European Space Conference and the establishment of the European Space Agency will secure a lasting and coherent space programme, and the development of an Atlantic scientific-technological partnership ;

5. Expressing its appreciation of the work undertaken by ELDO, ESRO and the European Space Conference, and its satisfaction at the close and fruitful working relations existing between these intergovernmental bodies and the Assembly ;

6. Expressing the hope that all member governments will sign the Convention and Final Act for the establishment of the European Space Agency and ratify the convention without delay ;

7. Emphasising the importance of establishing a permanent relationship between the Agency and the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe,

8. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers invite the governments of the member states ;

to take the necessary steps to ensure the inclusion in the Final Act of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries who are to sign the Convention on the European Space Agency of an article to the effect that the Agency will submit an annual report on its activities for debate in the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe ;

to proceed before 1 April 1974 to the signature of the Convention and of the Final Act for the establishment of the European Space Agency, and to the ratification of the convention as soon as possible.