Resolution on the Galileo concession contract negotiations

The European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing its deep concern that the concession negotiations on the GALILEO programme have remained at a standstill for several months and that such delays will have a significant impact on overall cost. It called on the Council to ensure that any further delays to this project are kept to a minimum.

It pointed out that the Parliament, the Council, the Commission and the consultative bodies of the EU overwhelmingly support the clear mandate given to Jacques Barrot, the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for the Galileo Programme to submit to the June 2007 Council, in particular:

- a credible roadmap for concluding contracts as soon as possible;

- possible solutions for meeting the long-term financial obligations;

- a scenario for the earliest possible provision of EGNOS satellite navigation services and

- alternative scenarios for the realisation of the programme, especially for costs, risk and affordability.

Parliament went on to call on the commission to speed up the legislative process related to the regulated market, based on the Commission's Green Paper on Satellite Navigation Applications, in order to ensure a credible business plan. The Commission was also asked to make a proposal – together with the European Space Agency – capable of solving the problem of better public governance by ensuring clear political responsibility and leadership on the part of the Commission. 

Given the Community character of the project, the Commission was requested to respect the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission, and thus to ensure that Parliament is fully informed of the implementation of the Council's decision authorising the Commission to negotiate with third countries with a view to concluding agreements on their associate membership for participation in the Galileo Supervisory Authority.

Lastly, Parliament asked the Commission to submit two progress reports, one by mid-July 2007 and another well before the negotiations reach the point of a revised proposal for a modified legal base for financing the Galileo Programme being made available.