Cooperation with Ukraine on Galileo, air traffic controller licence: Education, Youth and Culture Council, 14 November

Brussels, 14 November 2005

Extracts from report on Education, Youth and Culture Council
Brussels, 14-15 November 2005

The Council adopted a decision approving the signature of an agreement between the EU and Ukraine aimed at encouraging cooperation in civil global satellite navigation (13240/05, 13242/05).

The sectors for cooperative activities are: radio-spectrum, scientific research and training, industrial cooperation, trade and market development, standards, certification and regulatory measures, development of a global and regional global navigation satellite system ground augmentation systems, security, liability and cost recovery.

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Air traffic controller licence

The Council adopted a common position with a view to the adoption of a directive aimed at increasing safety standards and improving the operation of the Community air traffic control system through the issuing of Community air traffic controller licences. (10724/05, 13457/05 ADD1).

The proposed licence is based on harmonisation of the training given to applicants for a student air traffic controller licences and to air traffic controllers employed by air navigation service providers offering their services to general air traffic.

The text of the common position takes into account concerns about increasing safety and the mobility and free movement of air traffic controllers. It introduces Community standards for entry conditions to the profession, the structure of qualifications, the content of initial training and linguistic knowledge.

The common position will be forwarded to the European Parliament for a second reading under the codecision procedure.