The Assembly,

(i) Taking account of the fundamental importance of space in a global strategic concept of security in Europe;

(ii) Stressing that space-based observation means are an essential and indispensable part of the European security and defence policy;

(iii) Believing therefore that Europe must equip itself as soon as possible with a space-based observation system that is both autonomous and interdependent;

(iv) Believing that Europe has the necessary technological and industrial capability to establish such a system;

(v) Considering that the military use of space-based means is a global operation, the various parts of which cannot remain separated;

(vi) Renewing its congratulations to the industrial consortium for its feasibility studies of the main system and the study management team for assessing these studies;

(vii) Congratulating also the space research institutes of the various member countries of WEU on their outstanding contribution to these studies;

(viii) Taking account, nevertheless, of the difficulties that will inevitably be encountered in creating this system, connected mainly with the cost, implementation and use;

(ix) Taking into consideration the various options available in deciding to create this system, which may be summarised as follows:

(a) an independent WEU system;

(b) a system based on work already carried out (Helios I);

(c) the continuation, pure and simple, of the present work of the Satellite Centre in image acquisition and interpretation;

(x) Considering that the first of these solutions is technologically achievable but very costly, and that the third in no way meets Europe's need to have independent space-based information means, which are essential for its security and defence and, in consequence, for the exercise of its sovereignty;

(xi) Considering that the second solution seems to be the most pragmatic and easiest to implement, since it will draw on efforts already made and experience gained from co-operation which has proved viable and fruitful (Helios I) and is, additionally, the least costly;

(xii) Welcoming the prospects for a significant participation in the Helios II programme by Germany, Italy and Spain, alongside France;

(xiii) Conscious nevertheless of the many difficulties linked to participation in the financing and industrial production of the system and its use which must be resolved in order to develop, produce and exploit the system;

(xiv) Recognising, moreover, that discussions should be started with the United States and possibly other countries on the possibility of co-operation in early warning and antimissile defence systems;

(xv) Taking account, finally, of the overriding need for the Torrejon Satellite Centre to be given permanent status,

RECOMMENDS THAT THE COUNCIL

1. Immediately take the measures necessary to make the Torrejon Satellite Centre permanent and make provision for the budgetary means necessary for making use of the most satisfactory satellite images;

2. Seek agreement with the countries deciding to participate in the Helios and Osiris programmes for facilitating implementation of these programmes and associating other member countries, integrating them progressively into WEU's activities and, to this end, requesting participant countries to open up these programmes to their WEU partners;

3. Task the Space Group with studying the integration of these programmes into WEU's activities and invite the intelligence section of the Planning Cell, as soon as it is set up, to give its opinion on problems connected with the use of the system;

4. Conduct the necessary studies on a European early warning and antimissile defence system and foster co-operation with the United States and, as necessary, with other partners pursuing aims similar to those of WEU in these areas.