Italy and Norway forge strategic pact on space and critical raw materials

Islamabad: Italy’s Minister for Business, Adolfo Urso, and Norway’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Cecilie Terese Myrseth, signed a joint declaration outlining a framework for bilateral cooperation on space economy and critical raw materials.

On space economy, leveraging Norway’s Andøya launch site for both civil and military missions.

Critical raw materials, ensuring sustainable sourcing and innovation in processing technologies.

Accompanying Urso were Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli and Italian Space Agency President Teodoro Valente, signalling Rome’s commitment to deepening ties.

This ministerial visit to Norway follows Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s recent trip to Rome, marking a period of intensified Italy–Norway engagement.

Industrial and technological autonomy. “Europe’s future competitiveness hinges on strengthening its supply chains for the green and digital transitions,” Urso stated.

He emphasised that Italy is forging industrial alliances, particularly with Northern European states, to develop leadership in these strategic areas.

Myrseth, for her part, welcomed Italy’s participation in Norway’s advanced space initiatives.

Sovereign fund investment prospects. Norway’s sovereign wealth fund currently holds some US $23 billion across 112 Italian companies.

Both ministers expressed the hope that this figure will grow—Urso noted Italy’s “political, financial and economic stability” as a compelling reason for further investment.

Gateway to space ventures. On Tuesday, Italian and Norwegian firms visited Norway’s Andøya Space Centre to explore joint launcher projects.

The site is poised to become a key node for European space operations, offering Italian companies a foothold in polar‑orbit launches.

Italy reaffirmed its backing of ESA’s IRIS² secure satellite communications initiative, whose control centre resides at Fucino Space Centre.

Urso, as Italy’s authority for space policy, invited Norway—particularly Kongsberg Satellite Services—to join the project, underscoring the value of Nordic expertise.