Brussels, 15/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has clarified its aims with regard to the funding of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). It is still recommending that funding for the GMES comes from a separate fund, with contributions from member states, instead of featuring in the multiannual financial framework. On 11 May, the Commission adopted a communication in this connection, despite repudiation from the Parliament and certain member states.
Where is €5.8 billion going to be found? It is important that the future of the GMES is guaranteed in order to avoid any interruption in the provision of satellite data gathered on the earth and the climate, beyond 2013 - after which, there is no guarantee on funding. The Commission estimates that €5.841 billion is necessary to continue its activities during the 2014-2020 period (if prices remain constant). It is, however, refusing to accept that the amount comes from the EU budget, given the limitations on the European budget for funding projects of such a large scale. This is why, since last June, it has advocated in its budgetary proposals, the setting up of a fund for GMES outside the multiannual financial framework. This fund would be similar to the European Development Fund (EDF).
Creating a common EU27 fund. In another communication, the Commission outlines how this new fund, receiving contributions from member states, would be set up. It is proposing that all member states draw up an intergovernmental agreement. Their contribution to the fund would be worked out on the basis of their Gross National Product. The intergovernmental agreement would also set up a “GMES Council” as the body in charge of supervising the fund's budget. The agreement would be accompanied by a regulation requiring approval from the Council and Parliament, on the basis of the Commission proposals.
First version of intergovernmental agreement. Wanting to press ahead with the deadlines required for setting up the fund - while the future for GMES still has to be ensured beyond 2013 - the Commission is urging member states to begin preparing already this intergovernmental agreement. A preliminary version has been annexed to the communication. This already includes the division of member states' votes at the GMES Council and the contribution that the EU27 member states should make to the fund for 30 September 2013. Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy will on a sliding scale be the biggest contributors, ranging from 10 to 20% each. (MD/transl.fl)