Opening of the ESA conference
Speech by the Minister of Economic Affairs, Ms Maria van der Hoeven, at the opening of the ESA conference, The Hague World Forum, 25 November 2008
Ladies and gentlemen, participants of this ESA Ministerial Conference in The Hague,
Welcome to the Netherlands, welcome to the Hague, welcome to the World Forum. On behalf of everyone present here today, a special welcome to our new colleague from the Czech Republic, Mr. Liska! May I wish you all a very successful conference?! A conference with good results!
Ladies and gentlemen,
We can look back on a very successful period in which the agency has worked hard and achieved remarkable success. Since the last Ministerial Conference in 2005 we have seen a string of successful missions. I am happy with the outcome of our recent Space Councils, which has united EU and ESA forces. I am happy that we are using ESA's strengths to provide us with technology and science, as well as the EU's ability to translate this knowledge into useful everyday products for our European citizens in a most efficient way. And I am satisfied with the evolution of the agency: for instance all the work done on financial reforms and the admission of new Member States.
Ladies and gentlemen,
ESA, the European Commission, the German and French EU-presidencies and the Dutch ESA presidency have collaborated closely in the preparation of two consecutive Space Councils. The Space Councils in May 2007 and September 2008, have given us the first European Space Policy. A common policy supported by all of our 29 countries. In itself, our decision to set up such a policy may be called a great success.
I am proud of our policy results so far and of the more concrete, visible successes in space that have been achieved. In February this year, our European Columbus Laboratory was launched and successfully linked to the International Space Station. Just a month later, the first Automatic Transfer Vehicle was launched. It operated perfectly and according to schedule.
Right now, Europe is building its own global satellite navigation system, Galileo. We are working hard on the GMES programme for Earth observation and new groundbreaking Science missions.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We cannot, however, rest on our laurels. We have gathered together for these days to take another step forward. If we want to remain global players in space - and I am convinced we do - we need strong partnerships between the EU and ESA. And ESA needs to prepare itself for the future. New space developments are taking place all around the world, ranging from large investments in emerging economies to the commercial exploitation of human space flights.
Despite of - or maybe even because of - the current turmoil in the global financial markets, we will have to take a number of key investment decisions. Especially in uncertain times like these, we should defend global and European interests for our own and future generations.
The key investment decisions I refer to cover a wide range of sectors. And they will depend on how we approach vital questions facing our space community. Questions such as:
- at what pace will ESA be able to deliver its fundamental space science programme, Cosmic Vision?
- How will we make sure that the space segment of GMES is sustainable for the long term? As you know, this is an indispensable component for operational GMES services
- does our commitment to stop global climate change extend to monitoring essential climate variables?
- are we willing to maintain our investments in competitive satellite telecommunications industries and reduce our reliance on non-European suppliers for critical technologies?
- are we willing to sow the seeds of satellite system protection, through developing a network with Member States capable of monitoring the space environment?
- which programmes shall we pursue to capitalise on its scientific and technical heritage in space exploration and human space activity?
- and last, but not least: will we be able to adapt the agency and enable ESA to further evolve?
The proposals put before us today provide a sound policy basis for these decisions. I hope the enthusiasm I noticed during our last Space Council will be echoed and amplified during this Ministerial Conference.
Ladies and gentlemen,
May I thank the Director-General of ESA, Mr. Dordain, for the pleasant and fruitful collaboration we have had during my presidency? Special thanks for preparing this ESA Ministerial meeting and for the proposals he has provided to the Member States.
I hope to continue our pleasant collaboration with ESA in the future. And I wish both him and all his colleagues in the agency the power and wisdom to realise our ambitious plans for Space in Europe.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I wish you all a very successful meeting.
Thank you very much.