French President, Emmanuel Macron, and US Vice President, Kamala Harris, sealed this Wednesday at the headquarters of the US Space Agency (NASA), a new era of cooperation to face growing militarization from space.
Macron, who arrived in Washington on Tuesday evening for a state visit, lamented that space has become a “new scenario of conflict” with countries developing technologies capable of attacking satellites, endangering global communications.
“Drafting new rules for space together is something that is very important,” the French president said in a speech to the press at the start of the event.
Kamala Harris, in turn, underlined the need for a “peaceful use” of space and advocated that this area be governed with the same respect for the rules that govern relations between nations on Earth.
Harris also stated that his visit to Paris last year served to usher in an era of space cooperation between the two nations and argued that today’s event at NASA headquarters serves to “mark this new phase” seal”.
He also welcomed the fact that France had decided in June this year to sign the Artemis Accords, an international treaty developed by NASA.
The purpose of this treaty is to establish a collaborative framework for the civilian exploration and peaceful use of the moon, Mars, and any comet or asteroid in the solar system.
“Space remains a place of undiscovered opportunity. There is great potential for the work the nations of the world can do there, especially if we work together in accordance with common principles and values,” the vice president stressed. of the United States of America (USA).
Speaking of the possibility of conflict in space, neither Macron nor Harris mentioned any country in particular, although Washington and Paris have in the past accused China and Russia of using space for military purposes, namely using satellites for espionage purposes.
In addition to meeting with Harris, Macron will meet members of the US Congress later today, participate in an event with companies in the nuclear industry and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
The French head of state will also have a private dinner with US President Joe Biden.
On Thursday, the highlight of the agenda will be a bilateral meeting, which will also be marked by tensions over Biden’s economic plan to fight inflation and climate change, which France rejects as a protectionist measure.
Other hot topics at the meeting include the war in Ukraine, tensions with China and Iran’s nuclear program.
A state dinner is scheduled for the same day at the White House.
Source: DN
