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International interest in Europe's satellite navigation system spreading

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, April 4, IRNA
EU-Galileo
International interest in the European Union's first civilian satellite navigation system, Galileo, is growing swiftly.

Agreements have already been signed with China and Israel and discussions are underway with India, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Malaysia and Australia.

The European Commission - the 25-member European Union's (EU) executive - Monday proposed to start negotiations with Argentina for cooperation on Galileo.

"This proposal for a new international cooperation agreement clearly underlines the success of Galileo and demonstrates again the widespread interest in the project,'' said Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of transport.

Galileo, which is Europe's first satellite radio navigation program, was launched on the initiative of the European Commission and developed jointly with the European Space Agency (ESA).

It will prepare for the development of a new generation of universal services in areas such as transport, energy,
telecommunications, agriculture and fisheries.

To date this technology is only available through the United States' GPS system and Russia's Glonass system, both of which are financed and controlled by military authorities. The Galileo program for its part will be controlled and administered by civilian authorities.

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