Galileo system strengthens Euro-Mediterranean partnership
Officials and business executives from the EU and the Mediterranean region have held a meeting to identify common areas of interest in the global satellite navigation systems (GNSS) sector. The first Euro-Mediterranean GNSS seminar, organised by the European Commission, took place in Cairo from 16 to 17 February, and was the first in a series of actions planned to strengthen the EU-Mediterranean partnership through GNSS. The EU's Mediterranean, or MEDA, partners are Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Cyprus and Malta. The event successfully increased the awareness of decision makers and industry representatives of the potential applications of the EU's Galileo satellite navigation system in the Mediterranean region, and a many useful contacts were initiated. As a result of the seminar, demonstration and training activities are being launched, and discussions are ongoing to establish a cooperation office in the region to focus on GNSS activities. Several countries have bid to host this centre. In discussing those areas where satellite technology could deliver benefits to the region, participants focussed on transport safety, agriculture, fisheries, water management, mining and trade. Current and planned GNSS collaborations already include: - The MIDAN flight tests held at Cairo airport, which demonstrated the capability of Europe's satellite navigation systems; - GNSS services to cover the South Mediterranean maritime territories; - The AMED project to develop an airborne simulation platform for the location of fishing vessels and oil spills throughout the region; - Joint plans to extend the current EGNOS service to the Western Mediterranean area, including Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France and Portugal.