In relation to the status of the concession contract negotiations with the bidding consortium for the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and its impact on the development of the Galileo project, the Council adopted conclusions urging the bidding consortium, by 10 May 2007, to ensure the conditions for the resumption of negotiations with the GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) by implementing its commitments and especially the agreement of 5 December 2005, and to continue these negotiations without delay. The Council expects substantial progress to be achieved in the negotiations, so that by June 2007 the Council has adequate assurance that the concession negotiations are going ahead successfully, in particular on the basis of a credible roadmap to come to contractual conclusions as soon as possible.

The European Commission is invited to:

- assess and report by the June Council on overall progress of the Galileo project, including the outstanding issues listed by the bidding consortium as summarised in the Presidency's report and including the project cost and financing thereof, with a view to the swift progress of the project;

- submit as soon as possible for discussion possible solutions for securing the long-term public financial obligations, as requested in the Council conclusions of October 2006, including a scenario for the earliest possible provision of EGNOS satellite navigation services as precursor to Galileo, and to report to the June Council;

- assess progress in the concession negotiations and to submit alternative scenarios, also assessed for costs, risk and affordability, for the forthcoming June Council meeting.

The Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to negotiate with non-EU countries with a view to concluding agreements on their associated membership for participation in the European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA). The main objective of this decision is to provide for a harmonised approach concerning all non-EU countries by clearly defining the modalities of their participation within the GSA.

The European Parliament adopted a joint resolution on the Galileo programme noting that the technical aspects of the programme are in place and the most important element remaining in order to bring the project forward is good governance. Calling on the Commission to assess what modifications in legal and procedural regulations could be made in order to ensure the continued progress of the project, Parliament that this might mean the application of solutions that are more creative and more appropriate to the objectives of the programme. The Commission was asked to comply with the new timetable and to enforce compliance. It should also inform Parliament about costs and about any significant future alterations, but in a timely fashion, not with a delay of years.

Parliament welcomed the progress made in negotiations with the concessionaries, and called on the parties participating in the consortium to strive to reach agreement in a constructive manner, so that this common European project might play its part in fulfilling the Lisbon goals as soon as possible. The GNSS Supervisory Authority was requested to deliver semi-annual progress reports to Parliament, with special regard to progress in tasks to be imposed upon the GNSS Supervisory Authority from 1 January 2007 by the proposed regulation amending Regulation 1321/2004/EC. The GNSS Supervisory Authority was also asked to grant the expert nominated by the European Parliament permanent observer status, in accordance with Article 5(5) of that Regulation.

Considering the Community character of the project, the Commission must ensure that Parliament was informed before the signing of any contract of institutional participation with third countries.