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Participation of third countries and international organisations in the Programme

1. Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus, as well as the SWE and NEO sub-components, but excluding the SST sub-component, shall be open to the participation of the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA), in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Agreement on the European Economic Area. Copernicus and the SWE and NEO sub-components, but excluding the SST sub-component, shall be open to the participation of the following third countries:

(a) acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council decisions or in similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and those countries;

(b) European Neighbourhood Policy countries, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for the participation of those countries in Union programmes established in the respective framework agreements and Association Council decisions or in similar agreements, and in accordance with the specific conditions laid down in agreements between the Union and those countries.

2. In accordance with the conditions laid down in a specific agreement concluded in accordance with Article 218 TFEU covering the participation of a third country or of an international organisation to any Union programme:

(a) Galileo and EGNOS shall be open to the participation of third countries referred to in points (a) and (b) of the second subparagraph of paragraph 1;

(b) GOVSATCOM shall be open to the participation of members of EFTA which are members of the EEA, as well as of third countries referred to in points (a) and (b) of the second subparagraph of paragraph 1; and (c) Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus, GOVSATCOM, as well as the SWE and NEO sub-components, but excluding the SST sub-component, shall be open to the participation of third countries, other than those third countries covered by paragraph 1, and international organisations. The specific agreement referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall:

(a) ensure a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third country or international organisation participating in the Union programmes;

(b) lay down the conditions of participation in the programmes, including the calculation of financial contributions to individual programmes, and their administrative costs;

(c) not confer on the third country or international organisation any decision-making power in respect of the Union programme;

(d) guarantee the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to protect its financial interests. The contributions referred to in point (b) of the second subparagraph of this paragraph shall constitute assigned revenues in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation.

3. The Programme’s components or sub-components, excluding the SST sub-component, shall only be open to the participation of third countries and international organisations under this Article provided that the essential security interests of the Union and its Member States are preserved, including as regards the protection of classified information under Article 43.