EU SATELLITE CENTRE (EUSC)
Letter from Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister
for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Chairman
I am writing to inform your Committee of a draft
Council Joint Action (JA) to amend the JA which established the
EU Satellite Centre (EUSC) in July 2001. The original JA, amended
draft JA and an Explanatory Memorandum are attached. The General
Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) is scheduled to
agree the amended JA on 12 December 2006.
The role of the EUSC is to support the EU's
decision-making in the context of the Common Foreign and Security
Policy and, in particular, the European Security and Defence Policy
by providing satellite imagery and analysis. This year the Secretary
General/High Representative (SG/HR) reviewed the activities of
the EUSC and, in consultation with EU Member States, issued a
series of practical recommendations which will improve the running
of the Centre and serve to clarify its role. The Government fully
supports the recommendations which will enable the EUSC to manage
its budget better and improve co-ordination between the EUSC and
other work in this area. The UK will therefore support adoption
of the amended JA at the December GAERC.
27 November 2006
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