29 - 30 January 2004 in Kyiv, Ukraine, the International Workshop “Ukraine- Europe cooperation in space research” in the context of the 6-th Framework Programme was held.It was a joint initiative of the European Commission, the European Space Agency, the National Space Agency of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The Workshop was intended to foster mutually beneficial Ukraine - Europe cooperation in space and to demonstrate possibilities of the Ukrainian space industry.
More then 150 representatives from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Luxembourg, Russia and Ukraine participated in the Workshop.
NSAU Director General Olexander Negoda, Head of Mission of Ukraine to EU Roman Shpek, NSAU Deputy Director General Eduard Kuznietsov, Head of NASU Space Research Council Yaroslav Yatskiv, First Deputy State Secretary for Science and Education Ministry Andrey Gurzhyi, officials and representatives from the leading Ukrainian space enterprises and science institutions took part in the Workshop from Ukraine.
Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine Norbert Jousten, representatives from EC, ESA, European airspace companies, embassies of the European countries to Ukraine participated at the Workshop from European part.
During the Workshop Ukrainian and European scientists and specialists from the space sector submitted over 35 reports and presentations. Three Working Sessions with Round-Table Discussions were held where the prospects of Ukraine –Europe cooperation in Space Research area, Remote Sensing of the Earth and Space Technology Transfer were considered.The Workshop participants and guests had an opportunity to visit Poster Sessions where Ukrainian and European scientists and specialists presented more then 120 reports.
On January 30 in frames of the Workshop the Second Meeting of the Ukraine-EU Joint ad hoc Working Group on Space Research and Peaceful Use of Outer Space took place headed by NSAU Deputy Director General, Co-chairman of the Ukrainian Part of the JWG Eduard Kuznietsov and representative of Space Policy Unit / International Co-operation, Co-chairman of the European Part of the WG Hartwig Bischoff.
The Parties underline the high level of preparation and conducting of EC/ESA/NSAU workshop “Cooperation between Ukraine and Europe in space research” and suggest informing European Commission and ESA authorities on promising results of the meeting in Kyiv and stress upon the necessity of further development of EU-Ukraine cooperation in space field. In particular, the Parties appointed representatives discussed specific actions to foster the participation of Ukrainian scientists and institutions in current European programs.
Considering the mutual interest in cooperation in the area of development, utilization and transfer of space technologies the Parties supported the proposal to organize targeted workshops devoted to (i) utilization of space technologies to civil purposes, (ii) collaboration in GMES initiative. Focal points for this activity will be agreed by NSAU, DLR and INTAS by March 2004.Parties have agreed to promote the preparation and realization the joint NSAU/DLR/Poland project on utilization remote sensing data for control of water resources in the interest of agriculture.
The EC is investigating the possibility to launch specific actions on international cooperation with NIS countries in the space sector taking into account the large interest in the life sciences, microgravity sciences and technology development areas. The Parties agreed to hold the next JWG meeting by the end of 2004 in Brussels within the framework of the next Subcommittee N 3 meeting.
