Brussels, 30/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European satellite earth monitoring programme GMES has been granted €5.8 billion for the period 2014-2020 off-EU budget.
On Tuesday 30 November, the European Commission proposed €5.8 billion for the period 2040-2020, outside the budgetary framework of the EU, to fund the European global monitoring by satellite programme for the environment and security. The European executive has proposed creating a specific GMES fund, similar to the model selected by the European Development Fund, based on the financial contributions of the 27 member states of the EU on the basis of their gross domestic product. An intergovernmental agreement will be needed at the Council, where Germany could lead the ranks of the most reluctant member states. If it sees the light of day, the programme will be coordinated by the Commission and its financial management delegated to the Global Navigation Satellite System Supervisory Authority (GSA). (EH/transl.fl)