EC proposes opening negotiations with Morocco on Galileo navigation system

The European Commission on Tuesday proposed negotiating directives to the Council on the conclusion of a cooperation agreement with Morocco on the development of Galileo, a civil satellite navigation system.

The Commission will start discussions with Morocco as soon as the Council has approved the negotiating directives. "The prospect of a new Galileo cooperation agreement, this time with Morocco, highlights the success of this European program. Such an agreement will enable Galileo to become established in the western Mediterranean and West Africa," said Jacques Barrot, Vice-President with responsibility for Transport.

On 13 October, following several preparatory meetings with the Commission, Morocco formally announced its interest in opening negotiations and the prospect of an agreement on its participation in Galileo. This will involve industrial and scientific cooperation, particularly regarding standardisation issues, monitoring regional integrity and developing specific applications for Morocco and its geographic environment (the western Mediterranean and West Africa).

International cooperation in the Galileo Program is expanding rapidly. Agreements have already been signed with China and Israel and discussions are underway with India, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico and Australia. Furthermore, the agreement between the European Union and the United States which was signed on 26 June confirmed the total interoperability between Galileo and GPS. The Commission expects over 150,000 highly qualified jobs to be created in Europe.