A political agreement (general approach) on the regulation establishing a European constellation for secure connectivity could still be reached under the French Presidency of the Council of the EU at Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper I) level, according to information received on Wednesday 15 June.
The date is not yet known, but according to one source, it should be at the next Coreper I meeting on 22 June. According to another source, the idea is to conclude before the end of the month. A new compromise is being prepared by the French Presidency to overcome the reluctance of some Member States, notably Germany.
At the last ‘Space’ working meeting on Tuesday 14 June, discussions were reported to be going well, although there were still questions about the participation of third countries in the programme. At the last ‘Competitiveness’ Council on 10 June, many questions remained unanswered, notably on the place of SMEs and start-ups, among others, raised by Germany (see EUROPE 12969/4).
In the European Parliament, work is progressing after the first debate on the ‘Grudler’ report (see EUROPE 12970/8). The first meeting of the rapporteurs is scheduled to take place on 28 June. A further exchange between MEPs on the amendments is planned for July in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE). The vote in committee is scheduled for October.
The incoming Czech Presidency of the EU Council is said to be hopeful that an Interinstitutional Agreement can be reached during its term of office, we were told on several occasions.
To read the Presidency compromise of 9 June: https://aeur.eu/f/25a (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)