Germany pushed back on the space component of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) during the Competitiveness Council on 29 May 2026, demanding EFTA access, flexibility for the future MFF, clear governance roles for EUSPA, ESA and the Commission, and respect for member state defense competence, while calling for indicative sectoral allocations. The Cyprus presidency defended its text as balancing predictability and flexibility, with a stepwise approach for Earth observation services. The Commission argued flexibility is essential for rapid change.
On the proposed EU Agency for Space Services (EUSPA) regulation, Germany insisted the security accreditation board remain fully independent, a concern echoed by Cyprus. All speakers supported a dedicated EUSPA regulation for legal certainty. Broad consensus backed the International Space Summit, with Italy linking it to its COPUOS presidency and promoting Unispace 4 in 2027. Next steps: a partial general approach on the ECF is targeted for the General Affairs Council on 16 June.
Stakeholder impact: The space industry faces uncertainty over funding access and governance clarity, while member states see a tug-of-war between flexibility and predictability. EUSPA and ESA await clearer roles, and the Commission's push for flexibility may accelerate innovation but risks uneven national participation.