Sittings · Document

DRAFT RECOMMENDATION (05367/2026 – C100098/2026 – 2025/0352(NLE)) 2026-06-23

On the draft Council decision on the conclusion 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

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Paolo Borchia

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This is a draft report by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy on the draft Council decision to conclude an agreement with Norway on its participation in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme. The rapporteur recommends that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement. The explanatory statement says the agreement lets Norway take part as a user and by providing satellite capacities, ground segment facilities and technical infrastructure, while the EU keeps exclusive ownership of the assets and Norway gets no decision-making authority or veto rights. Norway finances its participation through contributions based on its GDP, including a retroactive contribution, and the agreement entails no expenditure for the Union budget but generates assigned revenue. The rapporteur stresses that Parliament must be fully and promptly informed at every stage under Article 218(10) TFEU.

Committee position. The rapporteur recommends that Parliament give a favourable opinion on the conclusion of the agreements, citing technical, geopolitical and economic benefits and the extension of the programmes to two reliable partners within the European Economic Area.

Key points

  1. Parliament gives its consent to the conclusion of the agreement between the EU and Norway on Norway's participation in GOVSATCOM and the Union Secure Connectivity Programme.
  2. The agreement covers Norway's participation in the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and in the Union Secure Connectivity Programme, and access to GOVSATCOM services and to the governmental services of the Union Secure Connectivity Programme.
  3. GOVSATCOM provides secure, resilient and protected satellite communications for authorised governmental users and critical infrastructures.
  4. IRIS² sets targets for a European satellite constellation providing ultra-fast, secure and low-latency access to communication and internet services by 2027.
  5. Norway and Iceland are described as close and trusted partners in the space sector, and their involvement extends the use of secure communications beyond the Union's borders.
  6. Their geographical location close to the Arctic region gives secure connectivity particular importance for sectors such as telecommunications and transport.
  7. The legal framework provides that the EU retains exclusive ownership of all tangible and intangible assets, while partner countries acquire neither decision-making authority nor veto rights over programme management and future development.
  8. Access to the services is subject to compliance with the EU's strict security standards and to supervision by designated competent national authorities.
  9. The agreements entail no expenditure for the Union budget and generate assigned revenue; Norway finances its participation through contributions based on its GDP, including a retroactive contribution covering costs incurred by the Union since 2021 under the Space Programme and since 2023 for secure connectivity.
  10. The rapporteur emphasises compliance with Article 218(10) TFEU, which guarantees that Parliament is fully and promptly informed at every stage of the procedure.
  11. The rapporteur recommends a favourable opinion on the conclusion of the agreements, citing technical, geopolitical and economic benefits and the aim of strengthening secure communications and commercial broadband connectivity.

Who is affected

  • Norway: participates in GOVSATCOM and the Union Secure Connectivity Programme as a user and by providing satellite capacities, ground segment facilities and technical infrastructure.
  • Norway: finances its participation through contributions based on its GDP, including a retroactive contribution.
  • The European Union: retains exclusive ownership of all tangible and intangible assets associated with the infrastructures developed.
  • Authorised governmental users and critical infrastructures: receive secure, resilient and protected satellite communications through GOVSATCOM.
  • Telecommunications and transport sectors: secure connectivity is of particular importance given the partners' location close to the Arctic region.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2027: target year for the European satellite constellation to provide ultra-fast, secure and low-latency access to communication and internet services.
  • 2021: start of costs effectively incurred by the Union under the Space Programme covered by the retroactive contribution.
  • 2023: start of costs for secure connectivity covered by the retroactive contribution.

Legal basis: Article 186 and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

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