GALILEO, satellite radionavigation programme: management, GNSS Supervisory Authority and Center for security and safety

The committee adopted the report by Alexander RADWAN (EPP-ED, D) broadly approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of amendments. On the key question of a potential security threat to the Union arising from the use of Galileo, MEPs argued that it was the Council and the High Representative who were competent to act in this area. Whereas the proposal stipulated that "a Centre or Security and Safety - permanent and operational - is hereby created under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the Council", MEPs amended the text to read: "a Council joint action shall determine the powers of the European Union in the event that the functioning and manner of operation of the system threatens the internal and external security of the Union and its Member States". The committee also specified that, in the event of delays in setting up the Supervisory Authority, the Commission and Council may authorise the Joint Undertaking to sign the concession contract, so that the whole programme is not held up. As to the future ownership of Galileo post-2006, MEPs amended the wording of the proposal to make it clear that, since the system will have been substantially financed from public funds, all assets will be transferred to the Supervisory Authority (under control of the Commission), which will become the owner of the entire satellite radionavigation system (EGNOS and Galileo). The Supervisory Authority should therefore be responsible for certification of the system and its components. Lastly, the committee stressed the need for transparent procedures for appointing office-holders in the Supervisory Authority, who will have positions of considerable responsibility.�