Satellite navigation - Galileo* (Other items approved - Extract from: Provisional Version, General Affairs Council, 12 July)

Brussels, 13 Jul 2004

The Council adopted a Regulation on the establishment of a Community agency called Global Navigation Satellite System Supervisory Authority (GNSS) designated to ensure the management of European satellite radio navigation programmes ( 10508/04 + 9960/04 ADD 1). The Council also adopted a Joint Action on aspects of the operation of the European satellite radio navigation system affecting the security of the European Union ( 9566/04 ).

The agency will manage all aspects relating to the radio-navigation system's safety and security, without prejudice to aspects relating to the security of the European Union and its Member States and will be responsible for implementing and managing the operation of the system. It will further manage public interests relating to it.

The purpose of the Joint Action is that in the event of a threat to the security of the European Union or of a Member State arising from the operation or use of the system, or in the event of a threat to the operation of the system, in particular as a result of an international crisis, the Council, acting unanimously, shall decide on the necessary instructions to the European GNSS Supervisory Authority (SA) and the concession holder of the system.

http://ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pr essData/en/gena/81415.pdf