Ministerial Visit in the High North: Norway and Italy to Strengthen Space Cooperation
Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth, flanked by Italian Minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso (left) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli, visited Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) in Tromsø last week. There, the Italian delegation received a briefing on the importance of space activities for climate and security in the Arctic and on KSAT's collaboration with key Italian space actors such as Telespazio and e-Geos. (Photo: Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy)
The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry recently received two Italian ministers in Northern Norway. Going forward, the countries will strengthen their cooperation on space activities and critical raw materials.
Last week, Norway's Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecilie Myrseth (Labor), welcomed Italy's Minister of Enterprises and Made, Adolfo Urso (FdI), and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edmondo Cirelli (FdI), to Tromsø, Northern Norway.
"Italy is a great space nation and plays a key role within European space cooperation, both in terms of rockets and satellites," said Myrseth, and continued:
"Italy and Norway also have joint interests within areas important for Europe's strategic independence, such as energy, space operations, and critical minerals. We have had good conversations and agree to cooperate more closely going forward."
In Tromsø, the ministers' visit included the headquarters and ground station of Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT). This company is a world leading provider of communication services for spacecraft and launch vehicles, and is referred to by the Italian Ministry of Industry as a possible partner in the EU satellite program IRIS².
"Our country is fully committed to supporting Norway's engagement in the IRIS² program, also at the community level. Strengthening the synergies between our industrial and scientific systems in space represents a joint priority and a strategic aim," stated the Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made.
IRIS²
· IRIS² is the EU's new satellite system for secure communications. It is scheduled to be operative by 2030.
· The program is meant to strengthen the union's resilience, security and strategic autonomy. With IRIS², Europe will not depend on similar systems under development in the USA and Asia.
· The system is to provide secure connectivity services for governmental authorities and high-speed broadband for private companies and European citizens.
· In total, IRIS² will consist of 290 satellites that will operate in various orbits around the Earth: both in low and medium Earth orbits, as well as geostationary and highly elliptical orbits.
· The earmarked budget for IRIS² is €10.6 billion (around 120 billion NOK).
"Valuable infrastructure for the EU"
The Norwegian government is working for Norway to participate fully in the next EU space program starting in 2028 and thereby in the new venture IRIS².
This topic was at the top of the agenda when the Minister of Trade and Industry, Myrseth, met Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defence Industry and Space, in Brussels in March.
"I addressed that it is mutually beneficial with full Norwegian participation and that Norway has valuable infrastructure for the EU, particularly in the High North at Andøya, in Tromsø, and in Svalbard," said Myrseth.
Now it seems that Norway has secured a solid supporter and willing cooperation partner in Italy, one of the leading EU countries.
The cooperation with Norway represents an opportunity to consolidate European autonomy.
Seeking a self-sustained Europe
The Italian ministers also took a closer look at the infrastructure on Andøya, specifically the Andøya Spaceport and the operational space center Andøya Space.
"Europe must strengthen its presence in space through strong, strategic and complementary industry alliances between member states [of the EU, ed. note] and partner countries," said Urso and continued:
"The cooperation with Norway and the Andøya area represents a real opportunity to consolidate European autonomy on the launch of satellites and create synergies between our companies."
Italy will continue to invest in the vision of an integrated European space sector and promote the joint use of strategic infrastructure such as the one on Andøya, the minister added.
Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth and the Italian delegation visiting Andøya Space. The delegation included Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency. (Photo: Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy)
Securing critical raw materials
Joint efforts on critical raw materials were also on the agenda for the Italian ministerial visit to the North.
During a bilateral meeting in Tromsø, Myrseth and Urso signed a joint statement to deepen Norwegian-Italian cooperation in this area.
The parties refer to the importance of secure and sustainable access to critical minerals and metals regarding the development of technology for green energy, digital transformation, and economic resilience.
Among other things, they will explore opportunities for cooperation on mapping and exploration, specifically between the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU) and its Italian counterpart.
On a roll
"Italy is an important actor in Europe and globally, and an important trade partner to Norway. In February, Norway and Italy signed a letter of intent on more business cooperation. Carrying out the declaration is already underway with the signed joint statement on cooperation on critical raw materials," stated Myrseth.
The overarching letter of intent aims to strengthen dialogue and interaction within strategic sectors such as energy, space, maritime industry, and defense.
This was discussed by the two countries' Prime Ministers, Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor) and Giorgia Meloni (FdI) in Rome in April. The visit from Italy to Northern Norway was therefore a follow-up on the work to develop the strategic collaboration further.
