EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/112

(2004/C 84 E/0149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3904/03

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

(17 December 2003)

Subject: European satellite agency — Galileo programme

In response to two earlier questions on the European satellite agency, the Commission stated on 23 July 2002 (in Answer P-1940/02 (1)) that, following the preliminary development phase of the Galileo programme, which would be managed by a joint undertaking, the management of the deployment and operational phases would be entrusted to a private entity (concession) following a call for tenders. At the time, no decision had yet been made on the possible setting up of a European multimodal satellite navigation agency. The agency's location and resources and the number of people it would employ were thus not known. In its reply of 25 February 2003 to the second question (E-3919/02 (2)), the Commission said that the private entity holding the Galileo concession would take over responsibility for the system's deployment and operational phases and would decide, according to its own criteria (efficiency, cost, etc.), where to set up its company head office and operations centre(s). Furthermore, during the second half of 2003, the Commission would be sending the Council and Parliament a proposal for the establishment of a public structure, whose seat would be determined at a later date.

Given the probability of a decision shortly being taken on the agency's location, there is renewed interest in Italy in the issue of whether the seat can be brought to the country's capital city. Representatives of the Lazio Regional Council and the Rome Provincial and City Councils have come together with businessmen and researchers to sign a resolution putting Rome forward once again as a candidate for the agency's seat.

Given the above, would the Commission state:

1. whether it has already submitted to the Council and Parliament a proposal for the establishment of the public structure referred to, and when the call for tenders is to be issued?

2. whether Rome can be considered to fulfil all the requirements to stand as a candidate, and which other European cities are standing as candidates?

3. what is the deadline for the decision on the European satellite agency's seat?

4. what funding has been earmarked for the project?

5. how many jobs are expected to be created?

Answer given by Ms de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2004)

On 31 July 2003 the Commission transmitted to the Council and the European Parliament a proposal for a Regulation on the establishment of structures for the management of the European satellite radionavigation programme (3) which is now being discussed within the two institutions. The proposal provides for the setting up of a Supervisory Authority which will be the system's public licensing authority.

In November 2003 the Galileo joint undertaking, active since mid-2003, launched a call for tender to select the private concession holder who will be responsible for the deployment and operational phases of the programme.

The Commission proposes that the Supervisory Authority's headquarters should be in Brussels but a final decision has not yet been taken. As the private concession holder has not yet been selected, no indication can be given as to where their headquarters will be.

The Commission hopes that the proposal for a Regulation on the future management structures will be adopted during the Irish presidency so that the Supervisory Authority can then be set up as soon as possible.

The financing plan for the deployment and operational phases of Galileo has not yet been finalised, as it will depend on the respective contributions of the public sector and the private concession holder.

The Supervisory Authority will employ a limited number of people (less than fifty). As for the concession holder, no indication can be given at this stage.

(1) OJ C 301 E, 5.12.2002, p. 249.

(2) OJ C 192 E, 14.8.2003, p. 146.

(3) COM(2003)471 final.