All successful space missions have one indispensable ingredient in common: high-level engineering know how. Therefore technical expertise is vital and must be at the disposal of ESA projects, playing a a key role that reaches to the very heart of all Agency activities.
This is why Technology programmes have the support of all ESA Member States, and this will be clearly demonstrated at the Ministerial Conference on the 20 and 21 November 2012 in Naples, Italy. The priority is to maintain the technology development capabilities of European industry.
This video recalls the importance of technology for space achievements with an interview with Franco Ongaro, ESA Director of Technical and Quality Management.

More background information can be found on: http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Technology/