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24.01.2008

Working together for the continued successful development of Galileo as a public sector project

Slovenian Minister of Transport Radovan Zerjav This was the message regarding the Galileo Programme delivered today by Radovan Žerjav, the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Slovenia and the current chairman of the EU Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, to the members of the European Parliament Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE).

“Thanks to the efforts undertaken last year by the German and Portuguese Presidencies and the European Commission, we have jointly succeeded in moving the European Programme for Satellite Navigation forward from a position of deadlock. We are now taking bold steps to ensure that Galileo remains under public responsibility,” stressed Mr Žerjav, adding that it was a project of great importance to the European Union – from both strategic and economic viewpoints.

In his speech, Mr Žerjav mentioned the most recent milestone on Galileo’s path, namely last November’s agreement of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) and the European Parliament as well as, a week later, the decision adopted in the conclusions of the Council of Ministers for Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE Council) concerning Galileo’s further development. The Galileo Programme was thus given new impetus.

Mr Žerjav underlined that three core areas concerning the further development of the programme need to be regulated. These are: the political decision-making process, monitoring of satellite navigation programmes, their management and the principles of public procurement. “The EU institutions, supported by experts and technicians, manage the EUR 3.4 billion project. This is a huge responsibility for industry and above all for European citizens, in particular because we have to link the democratic decision-making process with efficient management,” emphasised the Minister in his address to the MEPs.

The Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council will seek to reach agreement with the European Parliament regarding the Regulation on the implementation of Galileo during its first reading, which would enable 27 EU Member State Ministers to adopt the Implementation Regulation at the EU TTE Council meeting to be held on 7 and 8 April. The Slovenian Presidency will make every effort to successfully conclude the negotiations, Mr Žerjav told the MEPs.

 

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Date: 24.01.2008