EU/USA Agreement: promotion, provision and use of GALILEO and GPS satellite-based navigation systems and related applications

PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of GALILEO and GPS satellite-based navigation systems and related applications between the EC and its Member States, and the United States of America.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on 30 September 1999, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the USA for the conclusion of an agreement concerning the development of a Civil Global Navigation System. In accordance with the decision of the Council of 22 June 2004, the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of GALILEO and GPS satellite based navigation systems and related applications was signed in Dromoland Castle, Ireland, on 26 June 2004 and has been provisionally applied since 1 November 2008, pending its entry into force.

It is now appropriate to approve this Agreement on behalf of the EU.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 171 and Article 172, first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218 (6) (a) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(8) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENT: this draft Decision aims to conclude the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of GALILEO and GPS satellite-based navigation systems and related applications between the EC and its Member States, and the United States of America.

The text of the Agreement is attached to the present Decision. For further details on the content of the Agreement please refer to summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 17/03/2011.

The objective of the Agreement is to provide a framework for cooperation between the Parties in the promotion, provision and use of civil GPS and GALILEO navigation and timing signals and services, value-added services, augmentations, and global navigation and timing goods.

The Parties intend to work together, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, to promote and facilitate the use of these signals, services, and equipment for peaceful civil, commercial, and scientific uses, consistent with and in furtherance of mutual security interests. The Agreement is intended to complement and facilitate agreements in force, or which may be negotiated in the future, between the Parties related to the design and implementation of civil satellite-based navigation and timing signals and services, augmentations, or value-added services.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.