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20.11.2013 10:59
Lift-off for European Satellite Navigation Systems
The European Parliament has approved (603 votes in favour, 29 against and 59 abstentions) a Report on ‘The Implementation and Exploitation of European Satellite Navigation Systems’, by Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. The Report lays down several European measures needed to boost the added value of Galileo and EGNOS, Europe’s two satellite navigation programmes.
The EPP Group Rapporteur insisted on making it possible to invest in the development of the applications market based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) technology, recommending a breakdown of the allocated budget into different project segments and better financial management. He also emphasised the importance of raising awareness around Galileo as a reliable European alternative to the foreign military systems currently in use in Europe, such as the American GPS. The Report also outlines the essential role of good governance for the EU’s space activity by setting clear targets and roles for all the actors involved.
“Over the first 20 years of operations, Galileo and EGNOS are estimated to have generated cumulative socio-economic benefits worth around €70 billion to the EU’s economy. The two programmes will foster development and innovation and boost growth in the EU. New business opportunities will thus be opened up for manufacturers, service providers and researchers. High-potential user sectors include much-needed high-precision applications, such as aviation, land transportation, or agriculture”, explained Marinescu.
GNSS technology-based applications will capitalise on the potential provided by the infrastructure and services of Galileo and EGNOS. Road safety, fee collection, traffic and parking management, fleet management, emergency intervention services, goods’ tracking and tracing, online booking, safe shipping, digital tachographs, animal transport, sustainable land use planning in agriculture, resource management and environmental protection – these are just some of the activities that could benefit from applications based on this technology.
‘The Implementation and Exploitation of European Satellite Navigation Systems’ is one of the first Reports approved in relation to the EU’s 2014-2020 budget.
Note to editors
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 275 Members from 27 Member States.
<p>Galileo and EGNOS will provide citizens with a European alternative to the American GPS or Russian Glonass signals, on which global navigation satellite system (GNSS) users have depended until now. 4 satellites have already been launched and 18 more are due to be launched by the end of 2014. By 2018, the target is for the Galileo infrastructure to count 30 satellites.</p>
former EPP Group MEP
Eugen SANDU
former staff member
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