Press release
30 March 2011
Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications
Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd to Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in Brussels
On Thursday 31 March, Minister for Infrastructure Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd will take part in the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council in Brussels. The Council is expected to adopt conclusions on the development of the European satellite navigation programmes.
The Commission earlier this year presented a progress report on European satellite navigation programmes Galileo and EGNOS. According to the report, the programmes are making steady progress. Among other things, the launch of the first operational Galileo satellites is scheduled for the summer. The Commission is also to present an estimate of the funding needs of the programmes for the EU financial framework post 2013. A fully operational Galileo system will make the EU independent of the US (GPS) and Russian satellite navigation systems.
At the Council meeting, the Commission will also present a White Paper, 'Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system'. The White Paper contains the Commissions proposals on how to shape future European transport policy. It replaces the current White Paper that extended to 2010 and will be important in determining which concrete proposals for action in the transport sector the Commission will present in the next few years. The White Paper is going to be discussed by the ministers at the next Transport Council meeting in June.
Contact
Mychèle ÖstmanPress Secretary to Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd
+46 8 405 51 50
+46 70 771 16 34
email to Mychèle Östman
