Implementation Dialogue of Commissioner Andrius Kubilius on Space

Following the "Simpler and Faster Europe Communication" (COM(2025)47) which strives to streamline EU laws and enhance their implementation to deliver fast and visible improvements for people and business, 

Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, with the support of the  Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), will host the  Implementation Dialogue on Space, in Brussels (BE), on  the 5^th of November 2025. The Dialogue on Space follows the Implementation Dialogue on Defence, which took place on May 19, 2025.

The Commission published in July 2024 the Interim Evaluation of the Union Space Programme. The Evaluation assesses the first three years of implementation of the Programme, based on a comprehensive collection of data, including consultations with implementing partners and entrusted entities, Member States, industry stakeholders and users. The Report was subsequently presented to the Council’s Space Woking Party and the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee. It confirmed the effectiveness, relevance and added value of the Programme, while also identifying several lessons learned for future improvements. Key challenges highlighted included the need for autonomous access to space, but also the need to address unnecessary delays and additional costs in infrastructure deployment, streamline complex and lengthy procurement processes, as well as enhance market and user uptake of space-based data and services. The results of the Interim Evaluation were shared with the Space Defence and Aeronautics Industry (SDA) Expert Group - space subgroup in December 2024. The industry representatives welcomed the evaluation and emphasized several areas for improvement and further dialogue. These areas included the need to foster a greater degree of technological sovereignty, to ensure supply chain resilience, to overcome challenges in handling large contracts, and the critical importance of fostering commercial uptake of space data and services. 

The evaluation contributed to the Communication “A Vision for the European Space Economy” published in June 2025, as part of a ‘space package’ alongside the Commission’s proposal for the EU Space Act (EUSA).  The Vision aims to position the EU as a global leader in the space economy by 2050, leveraging space technologies and services both on Earth and in space to enhance EU competitiveness, resilience, security and autonomy. To this effect, the Vision is proposing actions for the Union to fully exploit the economic potential of its own space infrastructure whilst closing the gap between infrastructure investment and commercial service delivery. The EU Space Act aims to establish a single market for space data and services, setting up a unified, stable and predictable legal framework focused on safety, resilience, and sustainability to bolster the competitiveness of the European space industry. The EU Space Act will thereby ensure a level playing field for Space operators in the Union while enhancing the Union’s strategic autonomy and reinforcing its position as a global standard setter in the space domain. 

Given the two years remaining until the completion of the Union Space Programme, the ongoing deployment of the Union Secure Connectivity Constellation (IRIS²), and the Commission proposal for the European Competitiveness Fund to ensure the continuity of space activities beyond 2027, the Implementation Dialogue on Space will aim to respond with maximum agility and flexibility to current and future challenges and address the evolving users’ needs, including enhancing synergies with security and defence, to consolidate the smooth execution of the Programmes, and the strengthening of the Space Policy in Europe.

Objectives of the dialogue

The Implementation Dialogue on Space will facilitate a high-level discussion between Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and key leaders within the EU space ecosystem. Amid a pivotal geopolitical landscape and a significant phase in the implementation of the Union Space Programmes and initiatives, and just a few months after the release of the EU Space Act proposal and the Vision for the European Space Economy, this event serves as a significant platform for stakeholders to share their strategic perspectives with the Commission. The Dialogue will support the strengthening of the EU’s space industry, the advance of its global competitiveness, and maximize the societal and economic benefits of space technologies for Europe’s future. The event aims to:

• Foster high-level collaboration between the Commission and industry leaders.
• Seek feedback and input from the industry to identify opportunities and challenges for the Union Space Programmes and initiatives, and the EU Space Policy, shaping together the way forward.
• Identify best practices that could be further extended and supported by the Commission.
• Identify possible implementation and simplification aspects relating to the deployment of the EU space infrastructures, the uptake of space data and services and the technological sovereignty in the space domain, especially in a forward-looking mode and ensuring future-proof choices.

Themes to be discussed 

1. Topics

The Implementation Dialogue on Space with stakeholders from the space industry will be structured around three main topics to guide the discussion and facilitate exchanges among the participants:

1.1. Enhancing the deployment of EU infrastructures

The Commission is seeking industry input on improving the implementation of the Union Space Policy and the Union Space Programmes, as well as the development and deployment of EU space infrastructure. This includes exploring increased synergies between space and defence, and addressing challenges and opportunities in space transportation. The Commission seeks industry inputs on ways to further ensuring broad involvement and participation of all commercial players including startups, scaleups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mid-caps, in contracts and grants for a smooth execution of the European Union Space Programmes.

1.2. Reinforcing EU technological sovereignty and economic security

The Commission is interested in the industry’s views on identifying and addressing the vulnerabilities within the space supply chain and reinforcing its technological sovereignty and economic security.

1.3. Boosting the uptake of space data and services

The Commission aims at gathering industry insights on enhancing the uptake of space data and services produced by the Union Space Programmes, to address new and rapidly evolving user needs, including for security, defence and dual use, and to support the growth and resilience of the Union Space Economy.

Expected Outcomes

The Implementation Dialogue for Space led by Commissioner Andrius Kubilius will be a pivotal event, strengthening the dedication to advancing the objectives of the Union Space Policy and ensuring effective collaboration among stakeholders. 

• Strengthened partnerships and collaborative efforts between the European Commission and industry leaders.
• Formulation of concrete recommendations for driving the implementation of the Union Space Programme and Policy and strengthen the Union Technological Sovereignty, including recommendations on the broadening the participation of start-ups, SMEs and mid-caps.

Following the Dialogue, a summary conclusions report from the meeting will be circulated and published. In addition, a detailed operational report highlighting the key outcomes of the discussions will be prepared and presented to the Secretariat-General and Cabinet of Commissioner for Implementation and Simplification. Furthermore, this report will contribute to the European Commission's Annual Progress report on Simplification, Implementation, and Enforcement.