RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS To infinity and beyond: Following the publication of the Space Strategy for Europe in 2016 and the promise of funding for space programmes under the new long-term budget, how can the EU take a scientific and governing lead when it comes to exploring a global framework for the use of space technology? Submitted by:
Benedetta Bocciardo (IT), Iris Dajti (AL), Anna Karas (UA), Edvin Kollberg (SE), Aidan Mamo (IE), Jakob Mišič Jančar (SI), Guillermo Pascua Ramón (ES), Milda Pimpyte (LT), Taguhi Poghosyan (AM), Henrique Rosário (PT), Rilla Ritakallio (FI), Moritz Ruhstaller (LU), Tibet Özseçen (TR); Christopher Godina (Chairperson, SE).
The European Youth Parliament A. Deeply alarmed by the exploitation of loopholes in the outdated Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space by private companies and space agencies alike, B. Bearing in mind the fact that the space treaties do not cover key aspects of current space technology, C. Noting that there is no legal precedent when it comes to cases pertaining to outer space, D. Fully alarmed that certain countries such as India and the US are taking advantage of loopholes in existing space treaties in order to hide the military capabilities of their space technology, E. Recognising the fact that the private space industry is not sufficiently regulated by the current space treaties, F. Anxious that certain countries such as Luxembourg allow private companies to exploit and extract resources on celestial bodies due the space treaties not covering this area of space technology, G. Cognisant of the fact that the current space treaties do not regulate space tourism, H. Noting with regret that only 18 countries have signed and five have ratified the Moon Agreement, highlighting the lack of international cooperation in space affairs, I. Noting with concern the probable closure of the International Space Station (ISS) by 2030, the single largest project of international cooperation in space, J. Concerned by the fact that national legislation such as the Space Commerce Free Enterprise Bill in the US is not in line with the current space treaties, K. Noting the vast availability of natural resources such as water, precious metals, and minerals in space compared to the depleting natural resources on Earth, L. Keeping in mind that the Moon and other celestial bodies are becoming targets of uncontrolled exploitation of their resources, M. Pointing out the inadequate sustainability and efficiency of current space vehicles,
Resolution Booklet || Valencia 2019 – 90th International Session of the European Youth Parliament
– 42 –