On 23 June 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision establishing the EU's position within the EEA Joint Committee to amend Protocol 31 of the EEA Agreement, thereby extending the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) Regulation (EU) 2025/2643 to EEA/EFTA states. The decision, taken by written procedure, will be formally presented at the EEA Joint Committee meeting scheduled for 24 June 2026.
The EDIP Regulation, adopted by the Council on 16 December 2025, aims to strengthen the European defence industry through joint procurement, innovation, and supply chain resilience. The current Council decision seeks to include this regulation under Protocol 31 of the EEA Agreement, which covers cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms. The EEA Joint Committee, established under Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, is empowered to amend Protocol 31. The EU's position, as outlined in the draft decision attached to the Council act, will be advocated during the committee meeting.
This move extends the scope of the EDIP Regulation to EEA/EFTA states—Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—which are not EU members but participate in the internal market. The inclusion would allow these countries to participate in EDIP-funded projects and contribute to the programme's objectives, while also aligning their defence industrial policies with EU standards.
For EU defence industry firms, the extension opens up potential collaboration with EEA/EFTA companies, broadening the industrial base for joint projects. EEA/EFTA states gain access to EU funding and coordination mechanisms, which could enhance their defence capabilities. However, they will also need to comply with EDIP's regulatory requirements, including reporting and security obligations. The EU institutions, particularly the Commission, will oversee the implementation, while national authorities in EEA/EFTA states will need to adapt their administrative frameworks.
The EEA Joint Committee is expected to vote on the amendment on 24 June 2026. If approved, the EDIP Regulation will apply to EEA/EFTA states from the date specified in the committee's decision. The Council's decision enters into force on 23 June 2026, the date of its adoption.