Commission pursues Galileo cooperation agreement with Ukraine
The European Commission has requested authorisation from the Council to pursue negotiations with Ukraine on its participation in the development of a civil global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Following a joint EU-Ukraine statement on cooperation on satellite navigation, adopted in October 2003, and after several meetings between EU and Ukrainian officials, Ukraine formally expressed its wish to reach an agreement on participation in Galileo, Europe's contribution to the GNSS. The Commission hopes to start negotiations at the end of September. 'This proposal for a new international cooperation agreement clearly underlines the success of Galileo and demonstrates again the widespread interest in the project,' said Loyola de Palacio, Commission Vice President responsible for transport and energy. Galileo is rapidly becoming an international project. Initiated by Europe, agreements have already been signed with China and Israel, while discussions are under way with India, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico and Australia. An agreement with the US has also been signed, ensuring that Galileo will be compatible with the US satellite system GPS. Ukraine is one of eight countries with significant technological competence in the field of space, and is a world leader in the design and production of launchers and GNSS components.
Countries
Ukraine