On 24 June 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision setting the EU's position within the EEA Joint Committee to amend Protocol 31 of the EEA Agreement, extending participation rights for EEA EFTA States to the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme and including the Union Secure Connectivity Programme (Regulation (EU) 2023/588) in the agreement. The move formalises cooperation in satellite communications and secure connectivity beyond the EU's four freedoms.
The EEA Agreement, in force since 1 January 1994, allows the EEA Joint Committee to amend Protocol 31 under Article 98. Previous participation rights for EEA EFTA States were established by EEA Joint Committee Decision No 319/2021 of 29 October 2021. The new amendment extends that cooperation to cover Regulation (EU) 2023/588, adopted on 15 March 2023, which establishes the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for 2023-2027. The Council's decision enters into force on the date of its adoption, and the EU's position within the Joint Committee will be based on the draft decision attached to this Council act.
The decision impacts several stakeholders. For EEA EFTA States (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), it grants formal access to EU secure satellite communication infrastructure and the GOVSATCOM programme, enabling participation in related procurement and operational activities. EU institutions and agencies, such as the European Space Agency and the EU Agency for the Space Programme, will need to integrate these states into existing governance and security frameworks. EU space and defence industries may see expanded market opportunities as EEA EFTA entities join the supply chain for secure connectivity services. However, the extension also requires alignment on security protocols and financial contributions, which could impose administrative and compliance costs on participating states and the EU budget.
The Council's position will now be presented to the EEA Joint Committee for formal adoption. Once approved, the amendment will enter into force in accordance with the EEA Agreement's procedures, likely later in 2026.