EU-ESA framework agreement
The EU-ESA framework agreement , more precisely the framework agreement between the European Community and the European Space Agency , is a provisional agreement that regulates the cooperation between the two European organizations in the field of the peaceful uses of space.
In joint work, the so-called White Paper was created on the basis of the so-called Green Paper, which the EC adopted on January 21, 2003. The proposals for space policy developed there resulted in the framework agreement that was decided on November 25, 2003 and came into force in 2004.
In addition to the establishment of a joint secretariat, the framework agreement provides for regular meetings at ministerial level, the European Space Council . The EC is assigned the role of a customer who coordinates the needs of space projects. ESA is the provider of space products. The framework agreement guarantees the independence of both institutions. This means that ESA can act as an independent space agency and is not viewed as a sub-organization of the EC.
With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on December 1, 2009, the EC's commitment to the agreement was transferred to the EU .