Israel, along with Canada, China and India are the only non-European backers. The Jewish State will contribute from $25-60 million to the Galileo project, which is a joint venture between the European Union and the European Space Agency.
The agreement between Israel and the European Commission was signed in Jerusalem and provides for joint work on research, satellite manufacturing, follow-up services and marketing, according to the statement distributed by the EU.
The United States has been monitoring the development of Galileo warily for the past two years fearing it could compromise US and NATO military operations – which rely on GPS for navigation and troop location. Despite the difference of interests between Europe and the U.S. a deal was struck ensuring compatibility between Galileo and the U.S. GPS.
Galileo is set to be operational by 2008, with 30 satellites encircling the globe in medium orbit for both civilian and industrial use.
Many in Israel hail improved ties with Europe, hoping to see Israel become a member of the European Union in the future. Professor Talia Einhorn strongly discouraged such thinking in her address to the Jerusalem Conference, Tuesday. “Joining the EU means not only losing your economic freedom – but if England had joined, it would not have been able to participate in toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime.” Einhorn instead recommended that Israel pursue increasing free-trade with North America. “Israel should do everything it can to join NAFTA, instead,” said Einhorn, referring to the free-trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The agreement between Israel and the European Commission was signed in Jerusalem and provides for joint work on research, satellite manufacturing, follow-up services and marketing, according to the statement distributed by the EU.
The United States has been monitoring the development of Galileo warily for the past two years fearing it could compromise US and NATO military operations – which rely on GPS for navigation and troop location. Despite the difference of interests between Europe and the U.S. a deal was struck ensuring compatibility between Galileo and the U.S. GPS.
Galileo is set to be operational by 2008, with 30 satellites encircling the globe in medium orbit for both civilian and industrial use.
Many in Israel hail improved ties with Europe, hoping to see Israel become a member of the European Union in the future. Professor Talia Einhorn strongly discouraged such thinking in her address to the Jerusalem Conference, Tuesday. “Joining the EU means not only losing your economic freedom – but if England had joined, it would not have been able to participate in toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime.” Einhorn instead recommended that Israel pursue increasing free-trade with North America. “Israel should do everything it can to join NAFTA, instead,” said Einhorn, referring to the free-trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico.