WRITTEN QUESTION E-4078/03 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Galileo.
Date: 2004-01-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: United States, marketing, satellite navigation, systems interconnection

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/293

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(18 February 2004)

The conclusions of the representatives of Member States meeting at the level of Heads of State and
in Brussels on 13 December 2003 stated that, building upon the existing European
Government
Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia,
its mandate should be extended to become a Human
Rights Agency. The Commission has indicated its intention to submit a proposal to amend Council
Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997 (1) in that respect. However, before tabling its proposal, the
Commission intends to launch a widespread consultation exercise on the basis of a consultation document
which will be published in the summer 2004. The contribution of the Parliament will, of course, be vital
and adequate time will be given to allow the new Parliament to present its views. Following this
widespread consultation, the Commission intends to bring forward a proposal amending the founding
Regulation of the Monitoring Centre early in 2005. It should be borne in mind, in this context, that the
Parliament had called for the establishment of such an Agency in its 2001 report on fundamental rights.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997 establishing a European Monitoring Centre on Racism and

Xenophobia, OJ L 151, 10.6.1997.

(2004/C 84 E/0340)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4078/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 January 2004)

Subject: Galileo

Newpaper reports (The Guardian, 8 December 2003) allege that ‘European negotiators have bowed to US
pressure over plans to develop the rival system, in a move that will ensure GPS retains advantages over the
European system.’

It is claimed that European officials have agreed to change the signal in such a way that the US will be able
to jam Galileo without interfering with its own GPS signals.

It is further claimed that Galileo’s performance will now be markedly reduced ‘potentially making the
service only accurate to within eight miles’. This compares, it is said, to a GPS signal accuracy of around
three miles and the one mile accuracy originally envisaged for Galileo.

Will the Commission comment on these reports, and estimate the likely effect of such changes upon the
marketing of Galileo services and the possible loss of significant financial opportunities?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2004)

Satellite navigation systems transmit signals which are open to all users (known as the Open Service in the
case of Galileo) and secure signals (the Public Regulated Service in the case of Galileo). It is technically
possible to jam non-military signals locally across a conflict zone, whether they are generated by the global
positioning system (GPS) or by Galileo, while at the same time ensuring that they remain available outside
that zone.

Jamming is carried out on the ground by the military forces themselves and does not interfere with the
performance of the signals outside the conflict zone.

Regarding the performance of the Galileo open signals, discussions have been held to determine what the
most effective standard would be for the open signals of both Galileo and the future GPS III with a view to
providing the best service to users. These discussions were intended to ensure full interoperability between
the two systems and will, de facto, lead to a global standard for satellite navigation. Furthermore, the

C 84 E/294

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

solution adopted will enable Galileo to improve on the US solution, while at the same time achieving
interoperability between the two systems and enhancing Galileo’s performance compared with GPS.
The target positioning performances, of the order of the metre, are six to ten times superior to current GPS
performances, and this is fully compatible with a business plan based on the marketing of the Galileo
services. The willingness of the United States to use the same frequencies as Galileo for open and
commercial signals is to be welcomed, as it will give a decisive boost to the European programme being
used worldwide.

Galileo will be in a position to provide signals for the open service, the safety-of-life service and the
commercial service; these signals, which will be just as powerful as those envisaged prior to the launching
of discussions with the United States, will also be consistent with the needs of national security.
Improvements will constantly be made to the performance of these signals; consequently, the Galileo
business plan is in no way being called into question.

(2004/C 84 E/0341)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0006/04

by Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN) to the Commission

(16 January 2004)

Subject: Granting of favourable tax status to Sicily

One of the European Union’s main objectives, written into Article 2 of the EU Treaty, is to promote a high
level of employment.

Ireland and Wales have been granted favourable tax regimes.

As a result of these significant tax concessions, Ireland, and to a lesser extent Wales, have managed to raise
per capita incomes significantly and bring the level of unemployment down substantially.

Sicily has similar characteristics to Ireland (cid:1) the region is lagging behind its development and it is
disadvantaged by virtue of being an island with a population of approximately five million.

Sicily has the potential for vast economic growth but this growth is being curbed partly by the legal and
fiscal restrictions imposed by the Community.

Will the European Commission grant Sicily favourable tax status as this would:

1.

2.

3.

enable the island to attract more foreign investment, generating greater development potential and,
with it, employment;

greatly benefit Sicilian firms without breaching Community competition rules;

result in less revenue for Sicily’s budget but not affect central government revenue, with the lower
revenue in Sicily being offset by greater prosperity.

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2004)

The Commission would recall to mind that the area of direct taxation falls within the competence of
Member States provided that they respect the principles laid down in the EC Treaty, whilst the area of
indirect taxes is harmonised at EU-level. However, should a tax measure confer a selective advantage to
certain undertakings, sectors or regions, the EC Treaty rules on State aid may become applicable.

On the basis of the information provided, it is not clear to the Commission to which tax regimes the
Honourable Member refers.