The European Parliament adopted by 556 votes to 4, with 13 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the extension of the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of Galileo and GPS satellite-based navigation systems and related applications between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part.

Parliament gave its consent to the extension of the agreement.

The Agreement’s objective is to provide a framework for cooperation between the Parties in the promotion, provision and use of civil GPS and Galileo navigation and timing signals and services, value-added services, augmentations, and global navigation and timing goods.

The Parties intend to work together, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, as provided herein, to promote and facilitate the use of these signals, services, and equipment for peaceful civil, commercial, and scientific uses, consistent with and in furtherance of mutual security interests.

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of Galileo and GPS satellite navigation systems and related applications between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part.

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 Council approved the conclusion of the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of Galileo and GPS satellite navigation systems and related applications between the European Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and the United States of America, on the other. The Agreement was signed at Dromoland Castle, Ireland, on 26 June 2004. It entered into force on 12 December 2011 for an initial period of ten years and expired on 11 December 2021.

Both Parties have confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement for a further period of five years without amendment. The renewal of the Agreement must therefore be approved on behalf of the Union.

CONTENT: the draft Council Decision concerns the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the renewal, for a further period of five years, of the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of the Galileo and GPS satellite navigation systems and associated applications between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part.

The Agreement’s objective is to provide a framework for cooperation between the Parties in the promotion, provision and use of civil GPS and Galileo navigation and timing signals and services, value-added services, augmentations, and global navigation and timing goods.

Moreover, the Parties intend to work together, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, as provided herein, to promote and facilitate the use of these signals, services, and equipment for peaceful civil, commercial, and scientific uses, consistent with and in furtherance of mutual security interests.

The decision will enter into force on the day of its adoption. It will apply from 12 December 2021. From the date of renewal, the European Union will ensure compliance with all obligations under the agreement towards the United States of America.

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of Galileo and GPS satellite navigation systems and related applications between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part.

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 Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of the Galileo and GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite navigation systems and related applications between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part, was signed in 2004. It entered into force on 12 December 2011 for an initial period of ten years and expires on 12 December 2021.

Both Parties have confirmed their intention to renew the agreement for a further period of five years, without any amendment to the Agreement.

The Galileo and GPS systems are under further development and evolving. Continued cooperation between the two systems is necessary for a number of reasons, including to ensure compatibility and interoperability. Moreover, the United States is a privileged satellite navigation partner of the Union.

It is in the interest of the EU to renew this Agreement in order to continue to further engage in satellite navigation cooperation with the U.S.

CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council decide to approve, on behalf of the Union, the renewal for a further period of five years of the Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of the Galileo and GPS satellite navigation systems and related applications between the United States of America, on the one hand, and the European Community and its Member States, on the other.

The Agreement’s objective is to provide a framework for cooperation between the Parties in the promotion, provision and use of civil GPS and Galileo navigation and timing signals and services, value-added services, augmentations, and global navigation and timing goods.

Moreover, the Parties intend to work together, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, as provided herein, to promote and facilitate the use of these signals, services, and equipment for peaceful civil, commercial, and scientific uses, consistent with and in furtherance of mutual security interests.

It should be noted that this proposed renewal of the Agreement (i) does not foresee conferring Galileo ownership or decision-making rights to the U.S; (ii) does not give the U.S. the right to participate in the EU GNSS-related Programme Committees or Working Groups; (iii) does not allow the U.S. to participate in Galileo PRS (Public Regulated Service) relevant fora, working groups or discussions.