Space Policy: improving European citizens quality of life.

Italian MEP Aldo Patriciello's own-initiative Report on 'A space strategy for the European Union' was adopted today at the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg.

"The Report analyses the fundamental role of space policy and how it promotes growth and development", said Aldo Patriciello MEP.

Only a few figures are sufficient to understand the importance of this sector: there are 31,000 highly-qualified people working in the EU, the turnover is €5.4 billion year, between 6 and 7% of GDP, and the two projects Galileo and GMES guarantee benefits of €60 to 90 billion.

"With the 2020 Strategy, the EU aims at acquiring its own space policy in order to improve European citizens' quality of life, to accelerate the growth of the economy and to promote innovation", continued Mr Patriciello.

The adoption of the Report by the Parliament will encourage the European Commission and the Council of the European Union to move in the same direction.

"This Report has been the result of intense and effective cooperation between the political groups and the Vice-President of the European Commission, Antonio Tajani. Of course, the situation of the European economy makes it difficult to finance all space programmes. Nevertheless, we cannot stop growth.. Once the crisis is over, programmes like Galileo and GMES will generate development and employment", concluded Mr Patriciello.