Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honored to be here as the EUs first dedicated Commissioner for space. With leaders from the European space community, the European Space Agency, and Eurospace, weve had inspiring discussions.
European space achievements enhance lives globally. Systems like Galileo and Copernicus are world-class, and we aim to introduce IRIS2 for superior connectivity.
As we regain autonomous space access, Europe stands strong, yet at a pivotal moment. Bold decisions are needed to secure our space leadership and drive the space economy forward.
The 21st century belongs to space. As the US eyes Mars, Europe must also strive to be at the forefront of space exploration and innovation.
Our space endeavors improve daily life, evidenced by Galileos life-saving capabilities. We are at the dawn of a space revolution, promising advancements in connectivity, navigation, and new economies.
But we face challenges: disrupted supply chains, declining exports, and a fragmented market. We must overcome these to secure our space future.
With a focus on innovation, autonomy, and cooperation, Europe can maintain its leading position. We will propose EU Space laws to create a unified market, supporting startups and SMEs, and attracting investments.
Our commitment to autonomous space access and defense is crucial. Europe must have its own launch capabilities and defend its space assets.
Investment is key to realizing these ambitions. We must align public and private investments to support our space goals and ensure Europes space leadership continues to grow.