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.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/228/EU on the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its Member States and Ukraine.

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 and the European Community and its Member States was signed on 1 December 2005.

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

CONTENT: by means of this decision, the Council approves, on behalf of the European Union, with the consent of the European Parliament, a Cooperation Agreement on a civil Global Navigation Satellite System between the European Community and its Member States and Ukraine.

Purpose of the agreement: the 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.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25.11.2013. The date of entry into force of the agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the Secretariat of the Council.