Stressing that the space sector is a strategic asset for the EU, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union intends to steer the discussions, which promise to be difficult (see EUROPE 13769/20), on the EU’s space legislation (‘Space Act’).
It will also focus on including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups into the space sector by tackling market barriers, facilitating access to finance and public procurement, and supporting a diversified and resilient industrial base.
The Cyprus Presidency wishes to make progress in negotiations on the space component of the European Competitiveness Fund, within the new Multiannual Financial Framework in order to “guarantee continued investment in the Union’s fundamental space assets and capabilities”, such as the Copernicus, Galileo and Iris² programmes.
Cyprus also intends to work on the proposed EUSPA regulation, once it has been presented by the European Commission, “in order to strengthen the Agency’s role in promoting innovation, ensuring safe and resilient space services and the take-up of EU space assets”.
Links to the Presidency programme and ministerial meetings: https://aeur.eu/f/k4d ; https://aeur.eu/f/k5o (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)