With Ireland holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union since 1 July 2026, the Council’s work is advancing with a strong focus on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and security.

‘Our priorities are centred on three key areas: competitiveness, values and security. Together, they reflect our ambition for a Europe that creates opportunity, protects its citizens and remains true to its core values’, said Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee.

In this context, space plays an increasingly important role in Europe’s economic strength, security and resilience, supporting critical infrastructure and services relied upon by citizens, governments and businesses.

A shared vision for a stronger European space sector

A central pillar of the Irish Presidency is a clear commitment to strengthen Europe’s space sector as a driver of growth, innovation and strategic autonomy. As set out in the Irish Presidency Policy Programme, actions will be taken to ‘unlock the potential’ of a single market for space, by fostering innovation, supporting SME growth and enabling the scaling of space enterprises.

The programme also emphasises the continued evolution of the Union Space Programme by advancing negotiations on the proposed EUSPA Regulation alongside the European Competitiveness Fund.

In parallel, the Presidency aims to reinforce the contribution of space to Europe's broader strategic objectives while supporting safe, secure and sustainable space operations in an increasingly congested orbital environment through progress on the proposed EU Space Act.

Describing space as a ‘vital’ sector, the Presidency links these initiatives to its wider ambition of strengthening Europe’s open strategic autonomy and reinforcing the EU’s global leadership.

Central to this objective, work will continue on the proposed EUSPA Regulation, reflecting the growing importance of operational space services in Europe’s daily life. It is a sign of EUSPA’s evolving responsibilities, reinforcing its role in bringing Europe’s space capabilities closer to all users: citizens, public authorities and businesses.

Space as a pillar of security

Beyond strategy and infrastructure, there is also a human dimension. It is about turning satellite data into tools that support people in need. For instance, the Presidency highlights the need to provide ongoing support to Ukraine and wherever else support is needed, strengthening the EU’s relationships with its neighbours and partners around the world.

Through initiatives such as EUSPA’s EUSpace4Ukraine platform, space data is transformed into practical support on the ground. Using services from Galileo and Copernicus, humanitarian organisations can map damaged infrastructure, monitor the impact of agriculture and food production, coordinate logistics and assist search-and-rescue operations.

These applications show how European space technology can deliver valuable assistance in times of crisis.

A focus on innovation and growth

The Irish Presidency also highlights the importance of innovation as a driver of Europe’s future prosperity. Digital transformation, AI and advanced connectivity are reshaping industries. And space is part of that transformation.

EUSPA supports this by providing market intelligence. Its 2026 EU Space Market Report identifies growth trends across 16 downstream segments, enabling entrepreneurs to align their solutions with emerging demand.

This approach is complemented by initiatives that aim to propel start-ups and SMEs from ideation to scale-up. Flagship events like the CASSINI Entrepreneurship Days serve as a catalyst for this growth, bringing together innovators, investors and institutional leaders to transform cutting-edge concepts into market-ready businesses. From autonomous mobility to precision agriculture and financial services, space-based data and navigation services are enabling new applications and business models that were not possible a decade ago.

By advancing a more integrated regulatory framework and supporting continued investment in the European space ecosystem, the Presidency aims to ensure that Europe's space sector is equipped to meet the challenges of the coming decade.

Looking ahead

Over the coming six months, EUSPA looks forward to working closely with the Irish Presidency to support progress on these strategic priorities. Through its operational expertise, the agency will continue to help build a more competitive, secure and resilient European space ecosystem.

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