European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC)

The European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC) was established in 1999 as a permanent forum for co-operation between the European national parliaments. It aims to develop a continuing dialogue on space policy issues and support the national governments and European institutions in their efforts to achieve a common European space policy for the maximum benefit of Europe's citizens.

Every year a conference of National Groups is held in a country of current presidency in order to discuss the questions of outer spaces exploration and utilization. Following conferences have been organized so far: 1999 in France, 2000 in Italy, 2001 in Brussels, 2002 in London, 2003 in Berlin, 2004 in Madrid.

Apart from the members of national parliamentary groups, representatives of the European Commission, ESA, national space agencies, industry sector and observers from other countries also participate in the conferences.

EISC stands for that Europe must play a leading role on the international stage and be in a position to independently engage in space activities and develop corresponding technologies.
The EISC is convinced that space and its utilisation are essential to better define and implement Union policies.

The EISC is supporting closer collaboration between the European Commission (EC), the European Space Agency (ESA), Member States (MS), national space agencies, experts from Science and Industry, with the aim of reinforce (in complement to the EC-ESA framework agreement) a permanent and effective mechanism for implementing and maintaining a European Space Strategy.

This 7th EISC will focus on the new space exploration and international cooperation as real challenges for policy makers.