GMES Regulation

November 2, 2009 at 11:52 am | Posted in Space Law | Leave a comment

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

From GMES.info:

The current space GMES-regulation will be discussed with NEREUS and Members of European Parliament on 17 November 2009

NEREUS (Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies) organizes an evening with Members of European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, 17 November 2009. The event is a first step to enhance the dialogue with the newly elected European Parliament. Besides introducing NEREUS the organizers wish to launch a debate on the current space GMES-regulation. The proposal by the European Commission to establish a European Earth Observation Program (GMES) and its initial operations 2011–2013 (GIO) has high relevance for NEREUS- member regions.

The event will be hosted by two Members of European Parliament from France and Germany (Hessen): MEP Françoise CASTEX (S&D) and MEP Michael GAHLER (EPP). ITRE-Rapporteur MEP Norbert Glante (S&D) coming from one of NEREUS-member regions will report on the current state of affairs. In addition to that representatives of the European Commission and the European Space Agency will share their views with the participants.

The regulation aims at providing legal and financial mechanisms for the GMES program and EC funding of GMES initial operations so that operational services can be stepped up at a larger scale in the beginning of the next decade (2011 – 2013). It is focused on emergency response services, land monitoring services as well as auxiliary activities including e.g. measures supporting the take-up of services by users; data access and GMES space component.

The financial volume of the proposed regulation is 150 Mio. EUR, 43 Mio. EUR will be FP7-budget, (co-operation program: space priority) while 107 Mio. EUR will be financed by appropriations within the Community Budget.

NEREUS, the Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies, is an initiative by regions from all over Europe, which share as Full Members its governance. Currently the network unites 24 regions from the very North of Europe like Land Bremen to Europe’s most remote maritime regions, the Azores. The network is characterized by a large diversity of its regions with regard to geographical position but also structural situation: We count islands, coastal regions, mountain regions, urban regions and rural regions among our members.

Additionally 24 Associate Members from different sectors of space technologies ensure a sound industry and SME representation. Two of the six main global satellite manufactures EADS-Astrium and Thales Alenia Space and a world leader in satellite services TELESPAZIO are among NEREUS members.

Emphasis is placed on the use of space technologies. The network aims to explore the benefits of space technologies for Regions and their citizens and to spread their applications. NEREUS is a strong voice for the regional dimension of European Space Policy and programs as well as end-user needs.