Parliament calls on Commission to clarify GALILEO management structure
The European Parliament's Transport committee has called upon the Commission to present proposals for a management structure for GALILEO as it is concerned about the financing of the project. MEPs stressed on 10 July that the budgetary authority (Parliament and Council of Ministers) must have a clear picture of how the project will be financed before making a decision on proceeding with the GALILEO project. MEPs are concerned about the willingness of private investors to support the project. The Commission must also make a concerted effort to enlist the support of countries hesitant about GALILEO for financial reasons, MEPs agreed. In addition to the management structure proposals, the committee also called upon the Commission to devise a general financial structure before 15 November 2001. These arrangements should be designed in such a way as to encourage European industry to take part in the development and subsequent phases. Despite concerns, the committee agreed with German MEP and rapporteur Brigitte Langenhagen that the EU must press ahead with the development of the system.