Prague - The headquarters of the EU's satellite navigation system Galileo has transferred to the Czech capital.
In an interview with Aktualne.cz, special government representative for the Galileo project Karel Dobes said that in terms of security, Galileo's Prague operation center is similar to an army general staff headquarters.
"It is a secret area. Even if somebody gets inside, they have a security clearance and are not allowed to say anything. Try to visit the general staff headquarters, it is exactly the same thing," said Dobes, adding that the Galileo center's operation will be secret even for Czech authorities and officials.
"This European agency (GSA) operates according to EU rules," said Dobes.
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"The building is already being used by the GSA agency, and it is in charge of everything that is taking place there," said Dobes, adding that the operation is scheduled to start on September 3.
The staff is composed of about ten interns and four people from the GSA agency. In addition, two or three people from the EU headquarters in Brussels regularly visit the Galileo operation center to address certain issues, Dobes said
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The staff at the Galileo headquarters will be authorized to turn the satellite navigation system off in case of serious threat, for example a terrorist attack against EU countries.
"However, such decision would have to come from (the EU headquarters in) Brussels," said Dobes.
Dobes also said that all communication between the Galileo project and the public and industry will take place in the Prague HQ. "Here they will be talking about marketing and contracts, they will be issuing certifications and accreditations," said Dobes, adding that this will be important for the Czech economy.
