Ukraine seeks talks on satellite navigation co-operation
A Ukraine-EU joint statement on satellite navigation was previously adopted in October 2003. The scenario identified in preliminary talks includes multilateral and industrial co-operation, research and scientific activities especially on standardisation issues, regional integrity monitoring and financial investment in GALILEO.
Ukraine is one of the eight countries within the world space community demonstrating significant technological background on space programmes and important achievements on GNSS applications, equipment, use and regional technology. Among the Ukrainian space industryÕs achievements have been the design and production of launchers and GNSS components.
GALILEO agreements have already been signed with China and Israel and discussions are under way with India, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico and Australia. An EU/US agreement confirmed the full interoperability and compatibility between GALILEO and the US GPS system.
The EU expects 3bn receivers and revenues of some EUR250bn per year by 2010 world wide, and the creation of more than 150,000 highly qualified jobs in Europe alone. GALILEO stresses its civilian nature, unlike the military GPS and GLONASS (Russia) systems.
