ESA and EUMETSAT Signed a GMES Framework Agreement

On 20 July 2009 ESA and EUMETSAT signed a Framework Agreement on GMES which marked a major step towards the implementation of the GMES programme. The agreement defines the roles of the two organisations: ESA will be in charge of the procurement of the GMES Sentinel missions, the overall coordination of the GMES Space Component (GSC) and the interface between the GSC and GMES Services; EUMETSAT will be responsible, among others, for the contribution of its mission data, products and services to GMES and for the operation of the Sentinel-3 marine element. The agreement aims to bring specific implementing arrangements for cooperation on GMES Sentinels-3, 4 and 5.