KIEV, Ukraine, June 15 (UPI) -- The European Union and Ukraine have initialed an agreement to cooperate on the civil global navigation satellite system, the country's space agency reported.
The agreement will allow Ukraine companies to participate in the development of Galileo -- Europe's own global navigation satellite system, providing an accurate global-positioning service under civilian control. The companies also will gain access to EU financing, the National Space Agency of Ukraine said in a statement.
"The agreement can serve as a base for subsequent specific agreements in this field," the NSAU said.
Galileo is scheduled to reach operational capability in 2008. The fully deployed system will consist of 30 satellites, including 27 operational ones and three active spares.
Galileo is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency.
