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EU/Switzerland Cooperation Agreement: European Satellite Navigation Programmes

2012/0231(NLE)

PURPOSE: to conclude the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on European satellite navigation programmes.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on European satellite navigation programmes was signed on 18 December 2013, subject to its conclusion at a later date. The elements falling within Union competence were applied provisionally from 1 January 2014 pending the entry into force of the Agreement.

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

CONTENT: the draft Council decision aims to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on European satellite navigation programmes.

The agreement allows Switzerland to participate in European satellite navigation programmes. In return, Switzerland will contribute financially to the programmes.

The cooperation activities governed by the agreement will be carried out in accordance with the following principles:

1. mutual benefit based on a comprehensive balance of rights and obligations, including contributions and access to all services;

2. reciprocal opportunities to take part in cooperation activities within the framework of GNSS projects of the European Union and Switzerland;

3. the timely exchange of information that may affect cooperation activities;

4. adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights;

5. the freedom to provide satellite navigation services in the territories of the Parties;

6. unrestricted trade in European GNSS products in the territories of the Parties.