1Council Decision 2026/442 of 17 February 2026 on the signing of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway laying down the rules for participation of the Kingdom of Norway in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, and for access to GOVSATCOM services and to the governmental services of the Union Secure Connectivity Programme

Council Decision 2026/442 of 17 February 2026 on the signing of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway laying down the rules for participation of the Kingdom of Norway in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, and for access to GOVSATCOM services and to the governmental services of the Union Secure Connectivity Programme THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 189 in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Whereas: (1) By letter of 20 April 2023, the Kingdom of Norway expressed its formal interest to start negotiations on an agreement in view of participating in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, and for access to GOVSATCOM services and to the governmental services of the Union Secure Connectivity Programme. (2) On 10 December 2024, the Council authorised the opening of negotiations on behalf of the Union for the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway laying down the rules for participation of the Kingdom of Norway in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, and for access to GOVSATCOM services and to the governmental services of the Union Secure Connectivity Programme (the Agreement). The negotiations were successfully concluded on 4 April 2025. (3) Norway has a longstanding cooperation with the Union in the area of space, and is participating in most of the components of the Union Space Programme. (4) The Union and Norway have concluded an agreement on security procedures for the exchange of classified information Agreement between the Kingdom of Norway and the European Union on security procedures for the exchange of classified information (OJ L 362, 9.12.2004, p. 29, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2004/843/oj). . (5) From a geopolitical point of view, the participation of Norway in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, and Norway’s access to GOVSATCOM services and to the governmental services of the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, will contribute to strengthening Europe’s role as a global actor and promote international cooperation as defined in the Space Strategy for Europe. An Agreement with Norway will strengthen the Union’s strategic posture, which is an objective of the European Union Space Strategy for Security and Defence. (6) Therefore, the Agreement should be signed, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway laying down the rules for participation of the Kingdom of Norway in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, and for access to GOVSATCOM services and to the governmental services of the Union Secure Connectivity Programme is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of that Agreement