Elevating the Future of Europe through Space
Dear Ministers,
Dear Mister Chair of the ESA Council, Minister Urso,
Dear Director-General, dear Josef,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Congratulations to Minister Urso from the Commission side.
From unprecedented geopolitics to unprecedented geoeconomics, Europe is rethinking its position in the global economy.
In parallel, Space is growing radically. We will live through the space revolution as we witnessed the internet revolution. We need to rethink also our position and vision in Space.
Let me start from one more time stating how important is the EU-ESA partnership. It allows to leverage resources and create scale. It is vital to advance Europes position as a leader in space. It unleashes the power of unity to address complex challenges. It is fundamental for the competitiveness of the European economy.
On one hand, ESA has valuable technical expertise and is the trusted partner of the European Commission for the design, and development of our programmes and in building our common vision.
On the other hand, cooperation with ESA is paramount to optimise our collective financial resources in Europe. This ministerial is part of a critical sequence to prepare the ground for the next EU MFF. It allows Europe to act fast and responsibly for our defence readiness 2030.
The Commission has tabled its proposal for a European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), which increases by a factor of five the budget dedicated to space and defence. It is great that Member States also are substantially increasing their national space spending, And they are realocating unspent RRF funds to European space programmes. It is very important that all the increased space spending also should increase interoperability of different space programmes and should decrease possibility for fragmentation.
Dear Ministers,
I am confident that the results of this ministerial will be equal to this ambition. To prepare the ground with the right precursor programmes and resources.
I have engaged with you and the ESA Director-General in the months leading to this ministerial to underpin close cooperation in line with the recommendations in the Letta and Draghi reports. Our services have worked hand in hand.
Let me now focus on the programmes that will allow Europe to expand its capacities and leadership in space.
First, Galileo and Copernicus.
The LEO PNT programme proposed by ESA is the right precursor to a future EU LEO PNT system reinforcing Galileo. It has been designed to ensure a smooth transition.
Copernicus represents a global benchmark of European excellence thanks to the constructive cooperation between EU and ESA. Our focus is on the uninterrupted operation of the Sentinels and their evolution.
Next to Copernicus, Europe is now preparing EOGS, as a new operational system with own EU capacities as well as pooling and sharing of national and commercial capacities. to enhance situational awareness and support preparedness for security and defence.
I count on a bold outcome for the ESA ERS programme to accelerate EOGS. The EOGS User and Security Requirements defined at EU level, together with Member States, constitute the political mandate for ESA.
To complete the picture, I continue with secure connectivity.
The development of IRIS² in the current geopolitical context is of crucial importance. We are implementing the project at an unprecedent pace since the signature of the concession contract.
The IRIS² supply chain should be consolidated early 2026. In time for the first major contractual rendez-vous, where the concessionaire and the public sector will confirm their commitments.
Since the start, we have worked very closely and are particularly supportive of ESAs proposed programmes expanding support to IRIS². These activities bring mutual benefits for both Member States and the Union.
None of this is possible without access to space.
The EU is firmly committed to augmenting the European space transportation capacity to, in and from space. A capacity which is autonomous, resilient and competitive.
We need to optimise the use of our European launchers, Ariane and VEGA, and support the development of new launchers. While preparing the future we also need to factor in our objectives for competitiveness and defence readiness.
The Commissions proposal for the next MFF includes a stand-alone component on access to space, to create the adequate political and financial support to access to space.
This means that we will be able to implement a common European vision on access to space together with ESA and Member States.
Increased space capacities also mean increased effort for the protection of space assets.
I welcome ESAs missions for Space Weather and Planetary Defence. Especially missions, such as Vigil, will provide important data for space weather services. The EU will gradually develop those services.
Last, space commercialisation and space technologies.
The EU, ESA and EDA have a long tradition of developing roadmaps for critical space technologies. Complementary actions for space technologies is now more important than ever. Europe should think strategically about the supply chains in the new geo-economics context.
Space commercialisation requires intensification. From de-risking to access to risk finance. From incubation and acceleration to scaling up. From attracting and retaining talent to getting closer to innovation ecosystems.
I welcome the ESA programmes, designed to be also complementary with EU initiatives.
This brings me to the vision on the European Space Economy. Space is a fast-evolving market sector. Our industry requires scale and fast access in domestic and export markets: A single market for space as Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta in their Reports urged us to do. We need a Space Act to establish the right framework conditions for such a single market. And we need to design it together. We are grateful to the Danish Presidency in the European Union. I am committed in delivering the best solution for Europe together with you. We are opting for a simple single market in a constructive spirit.
Dear Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
To conclude, let me reiterate: in a world which looks more scattered and divided by the day, unity must be Europes keyword.
Space is fast growing and inspiring. Space can truly elevate Europes future. The future belongs to space. Who controls space, controls the future.
Today we have a collective responsibility. To shape the next decade to boost Europes space capabilities. To capture the growth of the space sector in Europe, for Europe.
Together we can do, what no Member State could do alone.
Together we can do more, better and faster!
Thank you and success for this very important meeting!
