Statement by Commissioner Kubilius at the press conference after COMPET Council

Minister,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This has been an important Council meeting to move the European space agenda forward.

First, we had a policy debate on the EU Space Act. I am grateful to Minister Egelund for her leadership in coordinating the work of the Council with such speed.

The EU Space Act is the first ever legislative proposal by the Commission aiming at creating an EU Space Single Market. Designed across three technical pillars: safety, resilience and sustainability.

Thanks to the work of the Presidency and of all EU member states, the Council has managed to analyse the Commissions proposal in depth. The progress report by the Presidency accurately depicts all contributions and concerns. It is an excellent basis to accelerate the work of the Council. In parallel, the Parliament has made a lot of progress. I am confident next year will be a decisive year for this proposal.

Second, I had the opportunity to report on my own annual progress report. During this first year as Commissioner for defence and space.

The Commission has delivered a lot both for defence and space. From the Vision for the European Space Economy and the proposal for an EU Space Act to the MFF proposals.

The Commission proposal for the European Competitiveness Fund aims at a fivefold increase of the budget for defence and space. And the massive increase of defence budgets should also entail spending for space. Because space is vital for defence as is the need for the defence of space assets.

I also reported on the delivery of the EU space programme with numerous launches for Copernicus and soon also for Galileo before the end of this year. We are also working full speed for IRIS².

Third, we were informed by the ESA Director-General of the results of the ESA Ministerial Council in Bremen on 26, 27 November. I attended the meeting and conveyed my strong commitment to the EU-ESA partnership.

I welcome the decision by ministers on financing Europes space programmes for the next three years. It will provide the crucial bridge for Europes space funding until the next multiannual EU budget is in place.

For Galileo, Copernicus and IRIS² but also to start work on the new systems (LEO PNT and EOGS). Important work for space for defence and for defence of space, also for space  commercialisation, space technologies and access to space.

European cooperation is more important than ever, in a global context where we are collectively challenged to be more ambitious and autonomous, while exercising budgetary restraint.

I am committed to the EU-ESA partnership. With our partnership we leverage resources and create scale. ESA is our trusted partner of choice. With ESA, we have delivered on dual use infrastructure, such as Galileo, under the EU leadership.