An independent satellite navigation system for Europe?
Speaking at the Fourth World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems (Berlin, 21 October 1997), Mr. Neil Kinnock, Commissioner responsible for transport policy, stressed the importance for Europe of the rapid development of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). With the market in GNSS estimated to reach $50 billion by the year 2005, Mr. Kinnock pointed out that the Union is facing a key strategic choice as to whether it should go ahead with the development of an independent satellite navigation system and positioning systems or develop a single global system with Europe's international partners. The Commissioner's preference would be to develop a single global system, but only on certain conditions: "If we are not convinced that such a global system is a realistic possibility", he noted, "Europe must press ahead with its own system". Mr. Kinnock identified the conditions of Europe's participation in a Global Navigation Satellite System as the following: - Collective control over the system; - Guarantees that the service, on which the safety of European transport will depend, cannot be withdrawn; - The opportunity for European industry to compete in all segments of the market. At the invitation of the Council of Ministers, the Commission will, by the end of this year, put forward a European strategy for the development of GNSS.