Strasbourg, 21/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - During its plenary session on Wednesday 20 June, the European Parliament approved the resolution taken by the parliamentary budgets committee on funding the European satellite radio-navigation programme (Galileo). It states that it will reject any solution that associates Community funding with additional intergovernmental funding, and considers that the programme should be fully financed from the EU budget.
Further to an exchange of views at the sub-committee on defence on 5 June (see EUROPE 9440), MEPs came into line with the Commission's proposal presented by its vice-president for transport, Jacques Barrot, following the failed setting up of the public-private partnership entrusted with developing the system (see EUROPE 9428). The resolution adopted therefore invites the Commission to take the initiative of a proposal for revising the financial framework to ensure that the project's funding is covered by the public sector alone, as well as all or part of the risks and responsibilities. We would point out that, pursuant to the resolution adopted by the Transport Council on 8 June (see EUROPE 9442), the Commission must submit alternative financing plans to member states by the month of September 2007. (aby).