Havana, May 13 (RHC) – A Russian legislative commission adopted the ratification of an agreement on outer space research and cooperation with Cuba, according to RIA Novosti news agency.

“This is a framework agreement, defining necessary principles, norms and conditions for developing bilateral relations in the sphere of space activity, including the protection of intellectual property rights, information exchange and data protection,” the Russian government said in a statement cited by the news agency.

The commission says the agreement is in the best interests of Russia, including the installation of Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) on the territory of the Republic of Cuba. The document will be considered at government session.

The Global Navigation Satellite System, which began operation in 1993, is a Russian equivalent of the US Global Positioning System (GPS). The GLONASS network provides real-time positioning and speed data for surface, sea and airborne objects. Its accuracy is expected to be boosted to one meter (three feet) when used within Russia by the end of the year.

The Cabinet of Ministers said the agreement with Cuba needs to be ratified. The first overseas GLONASS ground station for differential correction and monitoring was launched in Brazil in February 2013. Russia plans to build 50 GLONASS stations in several dozen countries across the world.

Last week, the Russian government approved bills to ratify space cooperation agreements with Nicaragua and Vietnam, which, among other things envisage the construction of ground stations for GLONASS.