COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2024/2709

of 10 October 2024

on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America setting forth security procedures for the launch of Galileo satellites from United States’ territory

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 189(2), in conjunction with Article 218(6), point (a), thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament (1),

Whereas:

(1) The cancellation of two Soyuz launches from the Guiana Space Centre in April and September 2022 and the announced delay of Ariane-6 necessitate that the Union finds alternatives in order to resume urgently the launches of Galileo satellites. That is critical to ensure the proper operation of the Galileo system, which is part of the Union Space Programme established by Regulation (EU) 2021/696 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2).

(2) The Union has a longstanding cooperation with the United States on satellite navigation. The Agreement on the promotion, provision and use of Galileo and GPS satellite-based navigation systems and related applications between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the United States of America, of the other part (3) entered into force on 12 December 2011.

(3) On 23 November 2023, the Council authorised the opening of negotiations on behalf of the Union with a view to concluding an agreement between the Union and the United States laying down security procedures for the launch of Galileo satellites from United States’ territory (the ‘Agreement’).

(4) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2024/1213 (4), the Agreement was signed on behalf of the Union on 25 March 2024, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(5) The Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the United States of America on the security of classified information (5) will apply to EU classified information provided to the United States.

(6) The Secretary-General of the Council is the depositary of this Agreement.

(7) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America setting forth security procedures for the launch of Galileo satellites from United States’ territory (the ‘Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union (6).

Article 2

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 12(1) of the Agreement (7).

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 10 October 2024.

For the Council

The President

PINTÉR S.

(1) Consent of 19 September 2024 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(2) Regulation (EU) 2021/696 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Union Space Programme and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and repealing Regulations (EU) No 912/2010, (EU) No 1285/2013 and (EU) No 377/2014 and Decision No 541/2014/EU (

OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 69

(3)

OJ L 348, 31.12.2011, p. 3

(4) Council Decision (EU) 2024/1213 of 19 March 2024 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America setting forth security procedures for the launch of Galileo satellites from United States’ territory (

OJ L, 2024/1213, 3.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1213/oj

(5)

OJ L 115, 3.5.2007, p. 30

(6) The text of the Agreement is published in

OJ L, 2024/1214, 3.5.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2024/1214/oj

(7) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the

Official Journal of the European Union

by the General Secretariat of the Council.

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/2709/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)