Council resolution on the further development of the satellite communications policy The European Council has published its resolution of 22 December on the further development of the Community's satellite communications policy, especially with regard to the provision of, and access to, space segment capacity. This resolution follows an earlier Parliament res... The European Council has published its resolution of 22 December on the further development of the Community's satellite communications policy, especially with regard to the provision of, and access to, space segment capacity. This resolution follows an earlier Parliament resolution which called for the firm establishment of a longer term Community satellite communications policy, taking full account of both the telecommunications and space issues affecting the future of the sector. Successful participation in the global communications market is dependent on the creation of a competitive satellite sector in a liberalized environment, on comparable and effective access to third country markets, on the availability of suitable technology and on attracting substantial private investment. The Council recognizes that this sector is a high technology sector of strategic importance which has to be taken into account when further developing the Community's communications policy. The resolution invites Member States to monitor access arrangements in third country markets with a view to ensuring comparable and effective market access to third countries, in line with the GATT framework and other international obligations. It also asks the Commission to take due account of advantages offered by satellite-based applications in its development of a coherent strategy for trans-European networks.
