Briefing by European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius at the Hellenic Parliament

“We cannot defend Europe without space,” emphasized European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, outlining the direction of the new European strategy during his briefing to the members of the competent Committees on European Affairs and National Defence and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament.

Welcoming the Commissioner, the Chair of the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection and Member of Parliament for Ilia, Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, noted that the Committee on Environmental Protection was among the first institutional bodies in Greece to highlight the importance of space policy, having initiated systematic discussions on a national space strategy as early as February 2013.

In his remarks, Mr. Kubilius described Greece as an example and a model in the fields of digital transformation and energy, stressing that the country is now also emerging as a leader in the space sector. He praised the €200 million investment through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), as well as the recent announcement regarding the launch of microsatellites, noting that these capabilities are critical both for Europe’s competitiveness and its security.

Dr. Avgerinopoulou highlighted the close interconnection between space technologies, environmental protection, and civil protection. She stressed that the impacts of the climate crisis, such as forest fires and floods across the Mediterranean region, make the need for reliable data imperative in order to support evidence-based policymaking. She also welcomed the deployment of the new microsatellites under the “Hellenic Space Dawn” mission, an initiative aligned with the longstanding proposals of the Committee on Environmental Protection aimed at strengthening the country’s climate resilience.

Furthermore, she referred to the operation of the “Space Caucus” (Space House) at the Hellenic Parliament, a framework that promotes cooperation among state institutions, universities, and the research community for the advancement of innovation.

In conclusion, the need was emphasized for both Greece and the European Union to maintain a leading role by investing further in space and digital infrastructure, which constitute a guarantee for sustainable development and the prosperity of citizens.