PURPOSE: to conclude a Cooperation Agreement on a
Civil Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) between the
European Community and its Member States and Morocco.
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: the European Commission, on the basis of a
negotiating mandate from the Council, conducted negotiations and
initialled the agreement with the Moroccan authorities on 8
November 2005 with a view to authorising this country to
participate in the Galileo Programme. The agreement was signed on
12 December 2006, pursuant to a Council Decision authorising
signature of 27 November 2006.
It is now necessary to conclude the Agreement on
behalf of the European Union.
CONTENT: this proposal calls on the Council to
conclude the Cooperation Agreement on a Civil Global Navigation
Satellite System (GNSS) between the European Community and its
Member States and Morocco.
Aim: the aim of
the Agreement to be approved is to strengthen cooperation with
Morocco in the field of satellite navigation. This Agreement allows
for closer cooperation with Morocco in the area of satellite
navigation. It will implement a number of elements of the European
satellite navigation programmes.
Reason for the Agreement: Morocco has know-how in space technology and
applications. It would like to develop the use of satellite
radionavigation on its territory and in the surrounding region
(western Mediterranean and West Africa), focusing on applications
specific to this region. Moroccan and
European firms have had industrial cooperation links in the space
sector for several years, providing a solid foundation on which to
build and extend cooperation in this field which is of great
importance for both parties.
Sector cooperation:
the sectors for cooperation in satellite
navigation and timing envisaged by the agreement are:
- scientific research,
- industrial manufacturing,
- training, application,
- service and market development, trade,
- radio-spectrum issues,
- integrity issues,
- standardisation and certification.
The agreement is expected to reinforce the joint
activities in these sectors to the benefit of the citizens,
industries and the cientific communities of the parties
Territorial provisions: Bulgaria and Romania are
to become parties to the agreement by the conclusion of a protocol
in accordance with Art 6(2) of the Act concerning the conditions of
accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania and the
adjustments to the treaties on which the European Union is
founded.
Croatia shall also become a party in accordance with
the relevant provisions of the Treaty.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the Agreement has no financial
impact on the EU budget.