Council Decision (EU) 2025/2129 of 10 October 2025 on the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the European Satellite Navigation Programmes

What it is

PURPOSE: to conclude the Cooperation Agreement between the EU and its Member States of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the European Satellite Navigation Programmes. BACKGROUND: by its Decision of 29 June 2010, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with Switzerland for establishing a cooperation agreement on satellite navigation. Switzerland is one of the Union’s closest partners in the Galileo programme since the early days of the programme and has contributed politically, technically and financially to all phases of the programme through its membership in the European Space Agency (ESA) and its informal participation in the Galileo-specific EU governance structures over the years. The Agreement will formalise and deepen this close integration of Switzerland in the European GNSS programmes. Without this Agreement, there would be uncertainty about the nature of the collaboration in areas such as security, export control, standardisation, certification and radio spectrum. Moreover, the Agreement allows the EU to set overall principles including safeguard measures in the areas of security and export control. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken. The Special Committee of the Council, authorities of the Member States and Switzerland have been consulted and support the close integration of Switzerland in cooperation in the European GNSS programmes matters and underlined the importance of including issues such as security and export control in the Agreement. LEGAL BASIS: Article 172 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. PURPOSE: to conclude the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on European satellite navigation programmes. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on European satellite navigation programmes was signed on 18 December 2013, subject to its conclusion at a later date. The elements falling within Union competence were applied provisionally from 1 January 2014 pending the entry into force of the Agreement. The agreement should now be approved on behalf of the European Union. CONTENT: the draft Council decision aims to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part, on European satellite navigation programmes. The agreement allows Switzerland to participate in European satellite navigation programmes. In return, Switzerland will contribute financially to the programmes. The cooperation activities governed by the agreement will be carried out in accordance with the following principles: 1. mutual benefit based on a comprehensive balance of rights and obligations, including contributions and access to all services; 2. reciprocal opportunities to take part in cooperation…

Official title: Council Decision (EU) 2025/2129 of 10 October 2025 on the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the European Satellite Navigation Programmes