ESA (European Space Agency) faces the threat of having no way to get its cargo and astronauts to the international space station (ISS) because NASA has decided to cut off the U.S. space shuttle early - in 2010 - five years before a new generation of space craft take over the transport duties.
John Richardson, Head of the Maritime Policy Task Force at the European Commission reviewed the EU’s efforts to integrate analysis and decision-making across a number of maritime sectors. Former White House Chief of Staff and Member of Congress Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Pew Oceans Commission offered his insights on current U.S. maritime policy and how EU-U.S. maritime cooperation can be enhanced. Sean Connaughton, Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration; Arne Fuglvog, Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK); and Chris Koch, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council discussed maritime surveillance, with particular emphasis on security matters. Duncan Smith, Principal at Blank Rome Government Relations LLC moderated the discussion. Rear Admiral Torben Ørting Jørgensen, Assistant Chief of Staff, Capabilities, Allied Command Transformation (ACT), NATO discussed the impact of increased law enforcement and surveillance of ocean activities on the maritime sector.
Airbus has followed up its whopping U.S. deal of in-flight refueling tankers with a second, slightly smaller sale of similar aircraft to Britain.
The Hon. Paolo Costa (MEP-Italy), Chairman of the Transport Committee and members of the Committee discussed the status of the EU-U.S. Aviation Agreement (also known as the Open Skies Agreement), the inclusion of aviation into the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and aviation security issues. U.S. participants included Michael Scardaville, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Policy and International Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Paul Gretch, Director of the Office of International Aviation, U.S. Department of Transportation.
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