Cooperation of Russia and the EU in the Area of Exploration and Use of Outer Space

Abstract

The jubilee year (the 20th anniversary of the Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the EU and Russia - the PCA) of the relations between the Russian Federation and the European Union has turned out to be the most complicated. In 2014 the Ukrainian situation has strongly affected the long-lasting relations between Russia and the EU, and now enormous efforts shall be made in order to regain the level of trust and mutual understanding reached in the past years. Shortly before the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis the year 2014 had been offi cially announced as the EU-Russia Year of Science, Technology and Innovation. A huge scientifi c potential of relation between the Russian Federation, the EU and its Member States can be well exemplifi ed by cooperation of the partners in the area of exploration and use of outer space. A comprehensive legal and institutional base of the cooperation provides for successful performance of complex projects. Further development of contacts in this fi eld would make a positive effect on the general scope of cooperation.