Brussels, 19/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 18 September, the Parliamentary committee for industry (ITRE) adopted the proposals set out by Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, Romania) on the optimum use of Galileo, the European radio navigation programme and EGNOS, which complements satellite data from the US GPS.
The rapporteur said that “we need clear targets and roles, we need public awareness, investments in developing applications, we need adequate industrial policies, as well as a strong governance to ensure pan-European support to deploy the 30-satellite constellation as planned”.
In practical terms, he suggests breaking down the budget allocated to the programme into different project segments, essential for cutting costs and better cost management. The rapporteur also highlights the importance of investing in the development of GNSS technology-based applications, which can increase efficiency in different areas of the economy and have a vast potential for industry and new jobs. To achieve this, he highlights the need to stimulate research and innovation (R&I) in satellite systems applications, by creating synergies with programmes such as Horizon 2020. “Road safety, fee collection, traffic and parking management, emergency calls, goods tracking, online booking - these are just a few applications that can make life easier for citizens”, explained Marinescu
It is also important that citizens are informed about the benefit of these applications and that incentives are introduced so that they are encouraged to use them.
Marinescu highlighted the importance of good governance for European space activities and said that “there are a number of actors involved in the EU's space activity. To secure efficient activity, we need good governance. We need to see results, and therefore we need to clearly see the role of each entity. All this should fit in a larger picture of the future of the EU's space policy, which should be clearly defined soon”. (MD/transl.fl)