Morocco is ready to become the first African country to participate in the multi-billion dollar Galileo satellite navigation system and is to negotiate terms with the European Union, the EU office in Rabat said on Tuesday. A rival to the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), Galileo is designed to reduce Europe's dependence on the United States in space. It is scheduled to become operational in 2008 with a planned system of 27 satellites. Like the GPS, it is designed for civilian applications such as communications and transport, like helping car drivers with an electronic map on their dashboard. "A potential Galileo deal with Morocco underlines ... the success of this European venture and will allow it to operate in the Western Mediterranean and in West Africa," EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said in a statement.
