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 approve the cooperation agreement between the European Union and the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation 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.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2018/1603 on the conclusion on the behalf of the Union of 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.

CONTENT: the Council decided to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Agency for the Safety of Air Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) on the development of satellite navigation and the provision of associated services in ASECNA's area of competence for civil aviation.

The EU's strategy aims, on the basis of the European satellite navigation programmes:

• to develop the use of this technology and provide associated services in ASECNA's area of competence, in particular by creating an autonomous satellite-based augmentation service (SBAS) for ASECNA,
• and more generally, to promote the use of satellite navigation on the African continent.

The cooperation agreement was signed on 5 December 2016, subject to its conclusion at a later date. Its objectives are to develop satellite navigation and 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 cooperation activities provided for in the agreement mainly concern those aimed at the establishment and operation of the SBAS-ASECNA system, based on EGNOS system technology. They also cover the use in Africa of the Galileo system, radio spectrum, standards, certification and international organisations, safety, research and development, human resources, communication and visibility, staff exchanges and the promotion of satellite navigation services on the African continent.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 18.9.2018.