Agreement between the European Union and the European Space Agency on the security and exchange of classified information

Summary:

Agreement signed by the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA) on the security and exchange of classified information.

Further information:

This Agreement aims to fulfil the objectives of strengthening the security of each side in all ways. Classified information means any information or material which is determined to require protection as its loss or unauthorised disclosure could cause varying degrees of prejudice to the interests of ESA or of one or more of its Member States or to the interests of the EU or of one or more of its Member States. It must be also marked in accordance with the table of equivalence set out in the implementing arrangement.

In October 2022, the Council of the European Union authorised the opening of negotiations for the amendment of an existing Agreement signed in 2008. Upon the conclusion of those negotiations, the Council adopted a Decision on 4 March 2024 on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement introducing amendments to the original Agreement. It was published in the Official Journal on 31 May 2024.

Official

EUR-LEX: OJ L Series, 31/05/2024: Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1542 on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the European Space Agency on the security and exchange of classified information http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1542/oj

European Space Agency (ESA): News, 22/05/2024: ESA and the EU update their Security of Information Agreement https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/ESA_and_the_EU_update_their_Security_of_Information_Agreement

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