The Hague Manifesto on Space Policy

The Hague Manifesto on Space Policy presents the main findings on space policy of the 2016 Netherlands Presidency of the Council of the EU. These findings codify the results of the Competitiveness Council on Space Meeting of 26 May 2016, the EU-ESA Informal Space Ministerial Meeting of 30 May 2016 and the main messages of the opening and policy days of the European Space Solutions Conference that took place on the 30th and 31st of May 2016. The main purpose of this Manifesto is to assist in the drafting of the forthcoming Space Strategy for Europe.

The Manifesto acknowledges that the space domain can significantly help increase jobs, growth and investments across the European Union, as well as tackle global societal challenges. To that effect, the Manifesto supports the idea of developing a coherent vision and strategy on EU and ESA space policy, in order to fully reap the benefits that the space programmes and systems can offer.

The Manifesto covers mainly the following areas:

- Concrete topics on uptake data and security 

The Manifesto encourages the solid uptake of space data by the market by removing technical and unnecessary legal barriers. Moreover, it suggests that the EU should focus on the different aspects of space and security, such as space debris, dependence on space signals/data etc.

- Competitiveness and Innovation

It highlights that Europe has to keep its global competitive edge, foster innovation in the downstream sector, as well as to ensure an independent and affordable access to space.

- Continuity of data and signals

The Manifesto highpoints that the further development of Galileo and Copernicus programmes should be a priority for the EU as the continuity and predictability of data and signals is of essence in ensuring market confidence and uptake.

- Creating awareness

The Manifesto sets up a threefold strategy for raising awareness; 1. make public authorities, research communities and private sector aware of the benefits of using space data; 2. promote the use of space through EU programmes (e.g.Horizon 2020); 3. actively involve citizens.

- Constructive co-operation

According to the Manifesto, constructive co-operation should exist between the EU, ESA and their Member States. It encourages the work on and in space clusters with the research communities, private and public authorities.

You can find the Hague Manifesto on Space Policy here.