EU/Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) Cooperation Agreement: development of satellite navigation and provision of associated services in ASECNA's area of competence for the benefit of civil aviation
PURPOSE: to conclude the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Agency for Aerial Navigation Safety in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) on the development of satellite navigation and the provision of associated services in ASECNA's area of competence for the benefit of civil aviation.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: on 25 September 2014, the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the Union, an international agreement with ASECNA establishing the conditions for the provision of a satellite-based augmentation service (SBAS) in Africa on the basis of the EGNOS European satellite navigation programme.
The Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and ASECNA on the development of satellite navigation and the provision of associated services in ASECNA's area of competence for the benefit of civil aviation was signed on 5 December 2016, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
The European Union and Africa have been cooperating on satellite navigation since the 2011-2013 action plan implementing the Africa-EU strategic partnership. The need for cooperation in this field was reaffirmed in the 2014-2017 roadmap adopted at the Africa-EU summit in April 2014.
The European satellite navigation programmes form a key part of European Union transport policy, especially air transport. They have been promoted internationally, mainly as a result of cooperation agreements entered into with countries such as the United States of America, China, South Korea and Israel.
CONTENT: this proposal for a Council Decision seeks to authorise the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and ASECNA on the development of satellite navigation and the provision of associated services in ASECNA's area of competence for the benefit of civil aviation.
The Agreement establishes a framework for the cooperation required for setting up and operating an independent SBAS system, but based on the European EGNOS system, in ASECNA's area of competence.
The aims of this Agreement are to develop satellite navigation and to provide associated services in ASECNA’s area of competence for the benefit of civil aviation by enabling it to benefit from European satellite navigation programmes.
The Agreement comprises a technical part and also covers questions of financing and governance.
The Union shall assist ASCENA in:
- the definition and design of the SBASASECNA system;
- the development and deployment of control centres;
- the development and deployment of the NLES stations and transponders;
- the approval and certification;
- the preparations for launching operations, mainly in putting in place the governance scheme for provision of services, declaration of services;
- preparing the documents for calls for tender.
The parties shall cooperate on:
- the use in Africa of the system produced by the Galileo programme,
- radio spectrum, standards, certification and international organisations,
- safety, research and development,
- promotion satellite navigation services on the African continent.
Financing: the cost of setting up and operating the infrastructure provided for by the Agreement, which belongs to ASECNA, will be financed by ASECNA's budget, by its member states or by contributions, in the form of loans or donations, from countries in the European Union and international financial institutions.
In order to set up and operate the SBAS-ASECNA system, the Union will facilitate ASECNA's access to its cooperation and development funds for both current and future programmes.
The Agreement provides for the setting up of a joint committee for management and correct implementation.