CIAO DATE: 11/2013
June 2013
European Union Institute for Security Studies
Space is a cross-cutting policy area, potentially very sensitive in terms of security and defence. Due to that, to the pre-existence of space stakeholders and activities in Europe, and to the complexity of the EU institutional organisation and setting, multiple decision-making centres exist. In this context, and despite the formal disappearance of the EU ‘pillar’ structure, space issues are dealt with by institutions and bodies that continue to be different in nature, interests and approaches, and that are engaged in a multi-faceted effort to achieve shared goals. This is the case with other EU policies too, but the multiple (strategic, technological, industrial, and defence-related) dimensions of space significantly complicate this endeavour.
Resource link: Europe: spread (not lost) in space [PDF] - 590K