The 12th EU-US Space Dialogue convened in Brussels

The EU and the US have for a long time enjoyed deep and beneficial cooperation on space affairs. To further develop this cooperation, the two sides engage in regular space dialogues, the most recent of which was held in Brussels on 26-27 June.

The EU and the US delegations gathered to discuss wide-ranging space topics including important cooperation on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Earth Observation and its applications, Space Situational Awareness, the safety of spaceflight as well as long-term sustainability. A dedicated part of the dialogue addressed space security, this year in the context of the recently adopted Joint Communication on EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence, including space cybersecurity and multilateral engagement. The Space Dialogue provided an opportunity for a bilateral update on respective policy initiatives in view of finding synergies and enhanced strands of cooperation.

The EU delegation was led by Timo Pesonen, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS), and Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, Managing Director for CSDP and Crisis Response at the European External Action Service. Representatives from DG DEFIS, the European External Action Service, the European Space Agency, European Space Programme Agency, and European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites formed part of the delegation.

The US delegation was led by Mallory Stewart, Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance (AVC), U.S. Department of State, and Jennifer R. Littlejohn, Acting Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Oceans, and International, Environmental & Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State. The US delegation was composed, among others, by the representatives from the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defence, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and Federal Aviation Agency.