Norwegian Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth, responsible for space policy, discussed Oslo’s ambitions to join the EU’s secure communications projects in an interview with Euractiv on the sidelines of her visit to Brussels.
As a member of the European Economic Area, Norway participates in the EU’s single market, without being an EU member.
The EU Council of Ministers authorised the Commission to begin negotiations with Norway on joining the EU’s space governments pooling of satellites capacities and the €10.6 billion secure communications project IRIS2.
Negotiations kick-started on 13 March when she met with EU space chief Andrius Kubilius in Brussels.
What drove Norway to request to join the EU’s secure communications IRIS2 project? Is it because of increased Russian threats, like fighter jets crossing the border and communications jamming?
Cecilie Myrseth: We are members of the European Space Agency and want to fully participate in the new EU space programs. Norway and the EU complement each other, and together, we will be stronger. Being part of IRIS2 is important for secure communications and for our defence industry.
In Norway, our northern location gives us a strategic advantage for downloading data from the polar orbit. We also have a rocket launch pad in Andøya. As the space industry expands, our goal is to strengthen integration, much like in many other Norway-EU industries.
As defence and space are closely linked together, joining forces will benefit Norway and Europe. It’s important for us to be a fully integrated member when it comes to these issues.
How much of the budget is Norway planning to add to the €10.6 billion IRIS2 current budget, and when do you expect to conclude the negotiations?
CM: I just had my first meeting with Commissioner for Space Andrius Kubilius, during which we talked about how to increase our cooperation and the ongoing negotiations to join IRIS2. I believe that this will be a crucial and important step for both of us.
We are fully committed to finalising the agreement as soon as possible. However, I prefer to keep negotiations within the discussion room for now before setting a specific date or budget commitment.
Does Norway have a plan to install new base stations to receive communications sent by Govsatcom and IRIS2 satellites, including in Norway’s northern archipelago of Svalbard?
CM: We currently have base stations at Svalbard and a subsea cable connecting mainland Norway to Svalbard, enhancing our communications network.
This Svalbard undersea cable enables the fast transmission of data downloaded from polar orbiting satellites.
Are you considering joining IRIS2 because you are concerned that Svalbard’s mineral-rich soil might attract other actors, similar to Trump’s interest in Greenland?
CM: I am not going to comment on all the things that could happen. For now, Svalbard local government decided to close all the mines. Moreover, the 1920 Svalbard Treaty regulates access to the signatory parties to engage in commercial authorities, while having to adhere to Norway’s rules.
With the Norwegian government joining IRIS2/Starlink, does it mean you also wish for Norway’s telecom operators to refrain from contracting commercial offers with Starlink? For instance, Telenor is still owned by more than a majority by the Norwegian government.
CM: Despite the state retaining ownership, Telenor is a private company that makes its own decisions.
Europe is developing a plan to potentially replace Starlink in Ukraine with services from sovereign providers, although this would come at a higher cost. Is Norway prepared to contribute if the cost of secure satellite communication services for Ukraine rises?
CM: Norway fully supports Ukraine and increased its fundings last week of more than four billions to our Ukraine program, the Nansen program. We fully stand by Ukraine on many levels and will continue to do so.
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