According to Article 9 of the Regulation establishing the Copernicus programme, the European Commission shall manage, on behalf of the European Union (EU) and in its field of competence, relationships with third countries and international organisations. Typically, a Memorandum of Understanding is concluded between the European Union and the third country or organisation. That document frames the general scope and conditions of the cooperation.

Following this, ESA is responsible to implement technical cooperation activities with the partner at no exchange of funds. To this end, ESA and the international partner agree on a common technical documentation. The paper defines respective roles and responsibilities, technical interfaces, timeframes and contact points on both sides.