EU agreement repositions city's sat-nav hopes

26th November 2007

EURO-MP Eluned Morgan has hailed an EU agreement which could position Cardiff at the centre of all European movement.

The European Parliament and European Council have reached initial agreement on revising the EU budget in order to plug a €2.4bn funding gap which had threatened to scupper the EU's Galileo satellite navigation system.

Galileo, a joint venture by the EU and the European Space Agency, is a state-of-the-art satellite navigation system which will provide precise data to drivers, sailors, mobile phone users and computer users, allowing them to find their exact location anywhere in the world.

Cardiff is among a number of European cities in the running to become Galileo's home. It would bring 30 highly skilled jobs to the city as well as providing spin-off benefits for local industry.

Labour MEP ELUNED MORGAN, a member of the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy committee, said:

"This agreement is great news for Cardiff. Galileo is a prestigious project which would not only raise the profile of Wales and Cardiff, but also serve to strengthen the partnership of Wales and the European institutions.

"If we are serious about building a high-tech knowledge economy, then this is exactly the kind of project we must attract.

"Now the uncertainty regarding funding for Galileo has ended, we can really focus on getting behind Cardiff's bid to become Galileo's home and delivering the jobs and opportunities which the authority would bring."

Based on a constellation of 30 satellites and ground stations, the Galileo system will improve air traffic control, the management of ship and lorry fleets, road and rail traffic monitoring and the mobilisation of emergency services.

Galileo will be the world's first purely civil global satellite navigation system (GNSS). The final decision on a home for Galileo will be made by the EU Council.