Government officials of Member States responsible for space discussed the EU's vision for space at the Competitiveness Council on 8 December 2023. Hungary was represented at the meeting by Péter Sztáray, State Secretary for Security Policy and Energy Security.
This year, the space policy focal points of the cross-cutting format were centered around the vision of EU space policy. Building on the Strategic Guidelines adopted by the Council in 2022 and the EU Security and Defence Strategy 2023, Member State representatives discussed several risk factors that highlight the need to protect EU space assets and services in a unified way, given the geopolitical situation that has been significantly disrupted in recent years. At the Council meeting, Member States agreed that the EU's space capabilities are a cornerstone of our collective security and our long-term strategic autonomy in the EU.
State Secretary Péter Sztáray emphasized the need to build a coherent framework to integrate space-related capabilities into a broader security ecosystem in line with the constantly evolving security needs. However, this evolution requires a delicate balance between civilian principles and security requirements. The State Secretary said that Hungary considers the two strategy papers to be an appropriate first step in striking this balance, as it can adequately align the segments and targeted missions of the EU's essentially civilian space programs with security and defense objectives.
On the sidelines of the EU deliberations, the State Secretary held a meeting with the management of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Defense and Space (DG DEFIS), as well as with the State Secretary for Space Affairs of Belgium, Thomas Dermine, who will hold the presidency of the Council in the first half of 2024. At the bilateral meetings, Péter Sztáray confirmed the ambitions contained in Hungary's space strategy and expressed his support for the presidency trio partner Belgium in achieving its space policy goals. On behalf of Hungary, he emphasized that during the Council period due in the second half of 2024, we are ready to contribute significantly to the dynamics of EU space policy.
Source: MTI-Hungarian News Agency
