Space-faring nations around the world are strengthening their programmes, reflecting the growing understanding of space as a fundamental instrument of technological autonomy, international projection, security, knowledge transfer, and industrial policy.

It is crucial that European nations and European institutions — namely ESA and the European Union together — achieve strategic alignment in their visions for space policy.

In this context, Portugal fully supports the Director General’s proposal, underlining the contribution of ESA programmes to European autonomy and resilience across all domains, including through the development of dual-use technologies and by securing access to space through the diversification and expansion of European spaceports.

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