An autonomous Union, open to the world, and supported by EU Space
The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union comes at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges that will test the resilience of the Union, its unity and its cohesion.
Against this backdrop, Europe must become more autonomous. “This is Europe’s moment to define and reshape its future through an assertive autonomy trajectory,” states the Cyprus Presidency’s official webpage.
Driving that trajectory are the Presidency’s core priorities of security and defence, competitiveness and inclusivity, all of which can benefit from EU Space.
Space at the heart of the EU’s defence readiness
The increase in multidirectional hybrid attacks, recent violations of EU airspace and the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine are manifestations of the challenges to Europe’s security architecture. “These threats underscore the urgency of strengthening the Union’s defence readiness and strategic autonomy, reducing dependencies and enhancing the EU’s capacity to respond effectively and proactively,” says the Cyprus Presidency.
At the heart of the EU’s defence readiness is EU Space.
“The EU has made space a key component in its security and defence,” explains EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa. “This concept has been enshrined in the EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence, which aims to protect Europe’s space assets, defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its strategic posture and autonomy.”
As the security gatekeeper of the EU Space Programme, EUSPA plays a leading role in the implementation of the Strategy – a role that includes co-facilitating the EU Space Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (EUSpace ISAC), operating the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Front Desk and procuring the GOVSATCOM Hub.
Protecting infrastructure, supply chains and borders
Security also means protecting the EU’s critical infrastructure and supply chains, along with its external borders. As to the former, secure satellite communication (SATCOM) is vital for critical infrastructure security, offering a crucial layer of resilience and redundancy for essential services. By providing reliable communication, even when terrestrial networks are compromised, secure SATCOM programmes enhance the security of sensitive data transmission and storage, particularly in areas like energy, finance, transportation and emergency response.
Turning to the security of Europe’s sea and land borders, here GOVSATCOM, Europe’s Governmental Satellite Communications programme, allows the EU to enhance surveillance, including border and maritime surveillance and the surveillance of illegal trafficking.
The Copernicus service for security applications also plays a border surveillance role. Its main objectives are to reduce the death toll of illegal immigrants arriving by sea while also increasing the EU’s internal security and mitigating cross-border crime. The service is operated by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) and provides the external border surveillance information exchange network (EUROSUR) with near real time data on activity happening around the EU’s land and sea borders.
Supporting disaster resilience and humanitarian assistance
The Cyprus Presidency can also count on EU Space to help enhance its capacities for disaster resilience and humanitarian assistance. That’s because each component of the EU Space Programme brings added value to different phases of the disaster risk management and mitigation chain.
For example, while Copernicus delivers on-demand, detailed information for selected emergency situations, including fires and flooding, Galileo provides the precise positioning needed for search and rescue operations.
By leveraging the full potential of EU Space data and information, the EU can enable efficient and faster humanitarian interventions, protect vulnerable communities before disasters strike and, ultimately, save more lives.
Competitiveness the bases for autonomous action
But achieving autonomy requires more than just security, it also requires increasing Europe’s competitiveness.
“Europe’s competitiveness is the basis for resilience and autonomous action, and a more competitive Europe will be better placed to secure sustainable growth and deliver on its strategic objectives,” says the Cyprus Presidency. “We must seize this generational opportunity, acting decisively and with urgency to boost our competitiveness in the world.”
A good place to start is with EU Space. EU Space is the bedrock from which the EU can build common economic prosperity, competitiveness, sovereignty, security, resilience and global influence.
For proof, one needs to look no further than the EUSPA EO & GNSS Market Report. According to the latest edition, the EU Space market is growing – and growing fast, with GNSS and Earth Observation combined global revenues set to increase from more than EUR 260 billion in 2023 to nearly EUR 590 billion by 2033.
This market growth is great news for the EU, whose economic resilience stands to benefit from the market adoption of EU Space technologies. It’s also good news for citizens and businesses, both of whom increasingly rely on space-based data and services.
“Through funding mechanisms, competitions, market insights, and business support, EUSPA helps drive market growth while building an innovative and uniquely European space sector capable of delivering services and solutions that strengthen the EU’s global competitiveness,” adds da Costa.
Ensuring equal opportunities for everyone
An autonomous Europe must also be inclusive, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. That’s why the Cyprus Presidency is committed to removing barriers for people with disabilities and supporting active ageing.
“Space technology is redefining accessibility, opening the door to a plethora of new services and opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities,” remarks da Costa.
Take for example the ubiquitous smartphone. By democratising access to GNSS positioning, there are now thousands of applications designed to foster the inclusion of people with disabilities, impairments and mobility issues.
For instance, those with mobility issues can use such apps as Wheelmap to locate wheelchair-accessible places and rate shops, restaurants and cafes based on their overall accessibility. Meanwhile, BlindSquare and Lazarillo rely on Galileo’s precise positioning to give people with vision impairments the ability to safely and autonomously navigate city streets.
The EUSPA supported PROLONG project is using oopportunistic networking and very high accuracy Galileo-based location to support the safety of active and healthy elderly users. Its innovative portable device can be carried in a pocket as a keychain or worn as a belt, bracelet or necklace attachment. By performing gait analysis based on very accurate Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) data, the device can detect unstable walking patterns, wandering or falls and then send an alert to caregivers.
EUSPA looks forward to working with the Cyprus Presidency
The Council of the European Union presidency rotates among the EU Member States every six months. During this time, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping ensure the continuity of the EU’s work in the Council.
“European autonomy and the further deepening of European integration that comes with it are – for us, without a doubt – the natural evolution of the European project,” says President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. “And precisely through this reasoning, the Cyprus Presidency will work with determination to give new momentum to the European edifice and contribute substantially to the next step in our common journey.”
“By fostering the development of an innovative, competitive and independent space sector, EU Space will be a key tool in taking this important step towards European autonomy, and EUSPA looks forward to working with the Cyprus Presidency to put its priorities into practice,” concludes da Costa.
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