The European Union (EU) reached an agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco to participate in the Galileo satellite navigation program, the EU announced Nov. 8. The agreement will cover industrial and scientific cooperation and the development of specific Galileo applications for Morocco and the western Mediterranean and the West African region.

The EU member states will submit the agreement to the EU Transport Council meeting in December for formal approval.

Morocco is the fifth country, and first African nation, to join the Galileo program. Previously, the EU reached agreements with China, Israel, Ukraine and India. Discussions also are under way with Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Norway, Chile, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada and Australia.

The launch of the first Galileo test satellite is scheduled for December, with a second spacecraft slated to be launched in spring 2006. The first of four operational satellites is scheduled to be launched in 2008.