Claudie Haigner�, French Minister for Research and New Technologies, and Letizia Moratti, Italian Minister for Education, Universities and Scientific Research, also attended to propose key measures to drive forward the space ambitions of Europe.

Other priorities outlined at the conference included better co-ordination between all sectors at EU and international levels, guaranteed independent access to space for Europe and a flexible system of programme funding.

Participants stressed the need to develop space technology, such as Internet by satellite and security applications. The Conference provided important input for the forthcoming EU White Paper on Space Policy, due to be published by the European Commission in October this year.

Philippe Busquin said: "The consultation was a successful exercise in democracy and collective creativity. People expect the EU to play a greater role in space, and we must be ready to meet those expectations.

"We will build on the lessons learnt from the consultation to devise an ambitious action plan for European space policy. With strong political commitment from all key space stakeholders and sustained interest among the public, we can turn Europe into the space leader of the 21st century."

Claudie Haigner� declared: "I welcome the remarkable work undertaken by the European Commission and ESA. Thanks to this wide-ranging debate on our future ambitions, we have established shared views on the current situation and a mutual recognition of the strategic importance of space for Europe.

"This exercise comes at the same time as the Convention's work on a new treaty for the European Union, and provides us with the opportunity of proposing a space competence for the EU. We wholeheartedly support this initiative, which should contribute significantly to developing Europe's future in space.

"Our ambition is considerable: we must collectively reaffirm the strategic role of space in building a Europe that is strong, respected and ever closer to its citizens."

Antonio Rodot� added: "We are pleased with the quality and quantity of the contributions to the consultation: this shows there is real interest in an upgraded role for Europe in space, not only within the scientific and business communities, but also in the public at large.

"ESA will therefore work with the Commission and other space sector players to raise the profile of space in Europe and help set a true agenda for the future of space policy."

Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Discussion Forum At ESA EU Green paper The European Commission SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Memory Foam Mattress Review SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News EUROPLEX The EUs Grim Year Washington (UPI) Jan 05, 2006 After a grim year of slow growth, riots and terror attacks from its Muslim immigrant underclass, rows over its budget and two thumping rejections by Dutch and French voters of its planned new constitution, the European Union's leaders can hardly wait for 2005 to be over to make a fresh start in the New Year.