The importance of GNSS (Galileo/EGNOS) Views from the forthcoming Council Presidency

1. The importance of GNSS (Galileo/EGNOS) Views from the forthcoming Council Presidency By Raymond ROSSO French interministerial coordination

2. The French Presidency Objectives • EGNOS : the French Presidency will actively support the following activities during the second semester of 2008 : • Creation of the EGNOS operating company, ESSP SAS • Signature of the EGNOS agreement between EC and the EGNOS Operators of Infrastructure Group • Signature of a contract between the EU and the ESSP SAS for the operations and the maintenance of the system • Signature of a multi-annual agreement between EC and ESA covering in particular the activities of ESA for the current system and its evolutions • Launch of the certification process for the EGNOS operating company, according to the European single sky regulations, under the responsibility of the French National Supervisory Authority • Establishment of a liability framework for the provision of EGNOS services

3. The French Presidency Objectives (2) • Galileo : the French Presidency will actively support the implementation of the new GNSS regulation : • Formal creation of the GNSS Programmes Committee • Creation of the GNSS Interinstitutional Panel • Reinforcement of the EC programme management team with experimented staff in order to assume the new responsibility of Programme Management (for both programmes) • Reinforcement of the ESA programme management team for assuming the new responsibilities of Procurement Agent and Design Authority • Signature of a multi-annual agreement between EC and ESA for the deployment phase, and insuring a clear sharing of tasks and responsibilities between the two organisations

4. The French Presidency Objectives (3) • Analysis of past difficulties in EGNOS, IOV, and preparation to exploitation, to learn lessons and avoid to fall again in the same traps • Adaptation of the security management organisation taking into account the new role of the GSA • Revision of the regulation creating the GSA • Signature of an agreement with Norway and Switzerland for the FOC and review of other previous international IOV agreements • Publication of an application plan for the development of GNSS applications and services • Establishment of an Industrial Property Rights policy applicable to all industrial contracts financed by EU and ESA funds • Definition of a liability policy for the provision of Galileo services (launch of a preliminary study)

5. Conclusions • Major decisions have been taken in 2007 concerning the financing and the governance of EGNOS and Galileo • The new GNSS Programmes regulation is being finalized for its publication : the French Presidency congratulates the Slovenian Presidency for this very important achievement for the success of the two GNSS Programmes • The new regulation shall be fully implemented urgently in order not to delay more the two Programmes • The start of operations of EGNOS on the 1st April 2009 is very important : the credibility of Europe for setting up a GNSS operational system will be demonstrated • It is felt very important to encourage the use of EGNOS to develop GNSS applications, before Galileo becomes available

6. Conclusions (2) • EGNOS/Galileo are crucial for : • Economy : development of the European industry (in particular SME) : manufacture of Galileo equipments, development of geo-positioning and timing applications • Society : impact of geo-positioning and timing applications on the everyday life of all citizens • International relations : credibility of EU as a world-class space leader, independence of EU for vital applications, flag ship of EU • EGNOS/Galileo are challenging : • Technical challenge : very complex system, high performances, high technical risks • Managerial challenge : very high number of actors, very long lines of reporting and decision, first programme managed directly by the EC • Security challenge : Galileo must be suited to support security applications