EU/Ukraine Cooperation Agreement: civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

PURPOSE: the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement on a civil Global Navigation Satellite System between the European Community and its Member States and Ukraine.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: Ukraine is one of the eight countries with significant technological knowhow important in satellite navigation equipment, applications and regional technology.

The Ukrainian space industry is among the world’s leaders in the design and production of launchers and critical Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) components.

Since 2000 Ukraine has shown interest in European GNSS projects and has developed its own contribution to the regional EGNOS System Test Bed, precursor of Galileo. Since 2010 discussions are on going to extend the EGNOS coverage to Ukrainian territory. The EGNOS coverage of Ukraine will increase the integrity of EGNOS in Eastern Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.

On 7 October 2003 the EU-Ukraine summit adopted the Ukraine - EU Joint Statement on Cooperation in Satellite Navigation. The Council authorised the Commission on 8 October 2004 to open negotiations with Ukraine for the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System.

The Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System between Ukraine, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part was signed on 1 December 2005.

The Agreement should now be approved on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact analysis was undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Articles 172 in conjunction with 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning  of the European Union.

CONTENT: this proposal aims to approve, on behalf of the EU, the Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Ukraine of the other part. 

This Agreement will allow for:

·        closer cooperation with Ukraine in the area of satellite navigation;

·        implementing a number of elements of the European satellite navigation programmes.

·        the EGNOS extension to Ukraine and the collaboration in areas such standardisation, certification, radio spectrum, industrial cooperation and trade and market development. 

Territorial provisions: Bulgaria and Romania are to become parties to the agreement by the conclusion of a protocol in accordance with Art 6(2) of the Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania and the adjustments to the treaties on which the European Union is founded.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: unspecified.