Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron called on the EU Thursday to assume stronger political leadership over its space policy, warning that Europe remains 'fragile' in a sector increasingly linked to sovereignty, security, and economic competitiveness. 'The European Union must fully assume political leadership over an ambitious, clear and demanding space policy,' Macron told the first International Space Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris.
According to Anadolu Agency, Macron emphasized that the bloc should pursue 'genuine technological independence' and maintain the ability to select its partners for critical capabilities. He noted that Europe must aim to be among the world's leading players, particularly in communications and artificial intelligence.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed Macron's call for greater cooperation, warning that Europe's current strengths do not guarantee its future position. 'To remain at the forefront, Europe must act together, invest at scale, and turn our market into a competitive advantage,' she said. The global space economy is predicted to nearly triple from around $630 billion today to $1.8 trillion by 2035, von der Leyen added.
She mentioned that the Commission had proposed £131 billion ($152 billion) for defense, security, and space under the EU's next long-term budget, which is five times the funding currently available. Macron highlighted the necessity for large-scale, affordable access to space, suggesting that Europe should be able to launch several hundred metric tons into orbit annually at competitive costs.
Von der Leyen indicated that the Commission and the European Space Agency were committed to developing a new European vision for access to space by pooling demand and acting as an anchor customer for European launches. 'This is how we keep a competitive space transport industry in Europe, and keep our independent access to space,' she stated.
Macron announced that France would invest £20 billion through 2030 in the space sector, along with an additional £40 million through the French space agency CNES for an observation program. Von der Leyen also pointed out the increasing security dimension of space, citing threats like signal jamming, spoofing, and cyberattacks on satellite networks.
'Our security on Earth increasingly depends on our security in space,' she remarked, adding that the EU is developing a European Space Shield to enhance defenses and address critical capability gaps. Macron also cautioned that 'space is no longer a sanctuary,' advocating for stronger international governance.