Europe's radio telescopes strive to explore the Universe from its darkest corners to its flashiest displays by observing and measuring space objects at radio frequencies. These very large and sensitive antennas form a network that allows celestial bodies to be observed from different places simultaneously, thus making the measurements more precise, like in the case of JIVE, a network of radio telescopes situated in Europe, Asia and South Africa.

Until now, the telescopes of the European VLBI Network have worked on a partnership basis, but a Commission Decision adopted today will allow it to operate as an international organisation. This will give it many of the administrative advantages and tax exemptions enjoyed by major international organisations, with much simpler procedures.