The document was signed in 2003, the committee head Valentin Zavadnikov told journalists. "The agreement settles matters of protection of know-how, commercial secrets and intellectual property in line with the Russian space legislation", the senator said.
Sergei Shatirov, first deputy chairman of the Industrial Committee, told journalists that the ESA has been working in Russia since 1980. "Cooperation between our country and the ESA agency is done in the field of basic and applied space research, space medicine and biology, space communication, satellite navigation, manned space flights including the preparation of crews, as well as in piloted planetary research", Shatirov said.
The agreement provides for the ESA to ensure and assist in the protection of all Russian property found in the territory of states members of the European Space Agency. "This provision heightens the legal protection of Russian property for the ends of space use and exploration", he said.
In the opinion of the senator, ratification of this agreement will seal of basic principles of Russia's interaction with the ESA member states in the field of space development and the use of space technologies. "The document is fully in line with the interests of Russia", Shatirov noted.
The agreement will be considered at a plenary session of the Federation Council on Wednesday.
