This is an important step for Europe. It's a tool that Europe is giving itself that will be independent of the American system, although it will be [technologically] compatible with the American system.

We're starting with fresh technologies and more up-to- date components, and it will be run by a civilian system and not a military environment.

Galileo will be a completely independent system made and controlled by Europeans and is a civilian service.

The satellite is up in space and transmitting signals.

Galileo is made in Europe by Europeans. If the Americans want to scramble GPS, they can do it whenever they want . . . whereas our system is a civilian-based system run by a civilian authority and would be completely autonomous.

It shows that things continue to move ahead.