GALILEO, satellite radionavigation programme: management, GNSS Supervisory Authority and Center for security and safety

The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution drawn up by Alexander RADWAN (EPP-ED, D) which broadly welcomes the Commission proposal on the establishment of Galileo's management structures. The Commission proposal on establishing a management structure is concerned with the deployment phase, which is planned to begin in 2006, and with the ensuing operational phase from 2008. In fact, the Commission proposes setting up two authorities: - a Supervisory Authority; - a Security Centre. The proposed Supervisory Authority is to be a Commission institution; as the Commission owns the Galileo infrastructure it is also to be responsible for controlling the satellite navigation system. The Supervisory Authority will also monitor the use of the frequencies for which it holds user rights, for the period these are allocated by the ITU. There will also be a private partner who will probably be one of the consortia of firms which have applied to the Joint Undertaking for an operator concession and are still in the process of selection. It will be responsible for the commercial success of the system. MEPs adopted amendments to the Commission proposal which aim to avoid delays in the setting up of the Supervisory Authority. As to the future ownership of Galileo post 2006, the House underlines that due to the fact the system will have been substantially paid for by public money, all assets should be transferred to the Supervisory Authority (under control of the Commission). Parliament also adopted amendments calling for an MEP to be given observer status on Galileo's administrative board and stressing that the Supervisory Authority's seat should be close to the concessionaire and not necessarily in Brussels. Its second seat shall be in Brussels. The Security Centre that is to be set up will guarantee the operational and external security of the system. It is to be based in the Council Secretariat, will not meet in public and will give the operator any necessary security instructions. Parliament requests that the Administrative Board shall be made up of twelve members. Four shall be appointed by the Commission, and eight by the Council of the European Union. The term of office shall be five years. This term of office shall be renewable once. The European Parliament may appoint an observer, who may attend the meetings of the Administrative Board. Lastly, the Parliament stressed the need for transparent procedures for appointing office-holders in the Supervisory Authority, who will have positions of considerable responsibility. On the issues of a potential security threat to the Union arising from the use of Galileo, MEPs acknowledge that it is the Council and the High Representative who are competent to act in this area. They also recognise that the Council is preparing a joint action setting out these powers.�