The two met to form basic guidelines in the European cooperation plan for possible inclusion, as an independent chapter, into a Common European Space Program, which is currently being drafted. The European space program is scheduled for adoption by the end of 2005.
Cooperation between the ESA and Roskosmos on manned flights has grown stronger, taking the shape of a genuine partnership. The plan "may become a real-life road map for cooperation in the near future and in the long run," the press release says.
"Our agencies have always oriented themselves on practical activity, and therefore we are trying to turn our policy into real work as quickly as possible," Perminov was quoted as saying in the press release.
During the negotiations, the two men considered cooperation and partnership in two spheres - manned flights, in which Roskosmos and the ESA have more than 15 years of experience in joint activity, and rocket carriers, including the joint creation of perspective space transport systems.
The cooperation priorities also include navigation, telecommunications and the remote sensing of the
Earth.
The next meeting between the two heads is scheduled after the Le Bourget air show.
