13 October 1994

Doc. 7174

WRITTEN DECLARATION No. 232

on the commercial uses of outer space

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly,

1.       Considering the important issue of the commercial uses of outer space,

2.       Wish to draw the attention of the Assembly and of all member states of the Council of Europe to the need to adopt general policy guidelines. These should ensure a major relaunching of space activities for peaceful and civil purposes in the interest of the whole of mankind;

3.       Stress in particular that space activities should not be confined solely and mainly to scientific research but should now be extended to other sectors for possible commercial uses in the future, such as:

i.       telecommunications satellites (a strongly developing sector);

ii.       radioactive waste disposal;

iii.       passenger transport by sub-orbital flights;

iv.       energy (space-based solar power stations);

v.       worldwide civil defence;

vi.       prospective mining on the moon.

Although not all these sectors are currently at an advanced development stage, they are still to be regarded as essential reference points for a progressive increase in space activities leading to economic and civil progress.

Signed:

Lorenzi - Italy - LDR

Caccia - Suisse - EPP

Vrettos - Greece - SOC

Mangakis - Greece - SOC

Rodeghiero - Italy - LDR

Serra - Italy - LDR

Bianchi - Italy -

Latronico - Italy - LDR

Total = 8

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left