RESOLUTION A3-0344/92

Resolution on a common approach in the field of satellite communications in the European Community

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Beumer on a common approach in the field of satellite communications in the European Community (B3-0861/91),

-having regard to the Commission communication containing a Green Paper on a common approach in the field of satellite communications in the European Community (COM(90)0490),

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy (A3-0344/92),

1.Calls on the Commission to propose the appropriate legislation in order to exploit fully the potential of satellite communications for the completion of the internal market and the continental dimension resulting from developments in Central and Eastern Europe;

2.Calls on the Commission to create the environment to enable existing constraints to be removed and new activities developed in the field of satellite communications;

3.Stresses that accommodation on the part of all states, with due regard for GATT, will maximize the opening-up of the markets for satellite communications;

4.Stresses that the tasks to be carried out can be solved only as part of a common strategy for satellite communications;

5.Stresses the need to harmonize and liberalize the operation of satellite terminal equipment for which this is appropriate, abolishing exclusive or special rights in this area, where necessary, and laying down special conditions governing compliance with essential requirements;

6.Stresses the need to harmonize and liberalize the provision and utilization of trans-European satellite communications services to the extent required, laying down conditions governing compliance with essential requirements and governing the granting of special or exclusive rights;

7.Considers it necessary that regulatory and operational functions be separated in the field of satellite communications in all Member States in order to prevent the unrestricted development of private providers from being considerably hampered;

8.Considers it necessary that access to space segment be improved both as regards the use of segment capacity of the international organizations which operate satellite systems and as regards the development of separate satellite systems and access to them;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the parliaments of the Member States.