RUSSIA - EU SPACE RESEARCH COOPERATION

MOSCOW, April 23 (RIA Novosti) - Cooperation with the EU in the field of space and new power technology research is one of Russia' top priorities, said Viktor Khristenko, Russia's industry and energy minister, during a meeting with a EU delegation led by Philippe Busquin, the EU's Research Commissioner.

Mr. Khristenko noted that Russia and the EU demonstrated mutual understanding in developing their cooperation in space research.

"The parties attach great importance to cooperation in such projects as constructing launch pad for Russian carriers rockets at the Kourou launch facility (French Guyana), the ISS, the Galileo and Glonas," Mr. Khristenko said.

All of the technical and financial issues related to building a launch pad at the Kourou launch facility have been settled, which will allow the first launch of a Russian carrier rocket to occur there in 2006.

In this connection, Russia is ready to take every necessary steps to complete ISS construction as soon as possible for the sake of the interests of all the participants in the project.