Malta officially joins European Space Policy Institute

At the historic Vienna Rathaus, Malta was officially welcomed, through Xjenza Malta, as a new member of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), marking a new chapter in the country’s growing participation in European and international space governance.

James Catania, director of the Space Programmes Engagement Unit at Xjenza Malta, the national entity responsible for space policy and programmes, represented Malta at the ESPI autumn conference. Dr Catania joined ESPI director Hermann Ludwig Moeller at a formal inauguration ceremony commemorating Malta’s accession to the institute earlier this year.

Addressing the conference during the signing ceremony, Dr Catania noted that, while the entire country of Malta is smaller than the hosting city of Vienna, its size enables responsiveness and strategic clarity. Echoing sentiments shared by other speakers, he emphasised that Europe’s strength will lie in the ability of its countries to specialise and contribute distinct areas of expertise. For Malta, this means building on its legacy as a digital-first nation, as an established IT hub, and now as a recognised European node in artificial intelligence, to contribute meaningfully to the space sector with measured ambition and a clear strategic vision.

Space is now a critical domain of strategic interest, and Europe must act accordingly

He concluded by saying that Malta is embarking on the preparation of its national space law, aligned with the principles and scope of the EU Space Act, and thus stands ready to work constructively with all international partners in a spirit of openness and cooperation.

A key theme throughout the conference was the growing consensus around the dual-use nature of space technologies. It was widely acknowledged by delegations attending the ESPI conference that space infrastructure must now be viewed as both a civilian and strategic asset. This shift in tone reflects the increasingly central role of space in Europe’s geopolitical and technological resilience.

Underscoring this point, Timo Pesonen, director general within the European Commission, recalled the nexus between space and defence, including within the context of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework proposal for a new European Competitiveness Fund. The Commission also informed participants about the forthcoming launch of an EU-wide space defence shield initiative through the European Defence Readiness Roadmap, setting the direction for deeper integration between space and defence policy at Union level.

While workforce development and capacity-building were also discussed, the conference left no doubt: space is now a critical domain of strategic interest, and Europe must act accordingly.

Malta’s membership in ESPI provides a vital platform for cooperation, dialogue and alignment with other, both established and emerging, space players in Europe.

Xjenza Malta’s engagement within ESPI complements national goals outlined in the National Space Strategy 2022-2027, and supports upcoming flagship initiatives by Xjenza Malta, including the rehabilitation of the Fort Binġemma site into Esplora Space.

Malta will continue its involvement through Xjenza Malta’s active representation within ESPI’s General Assembly and the ESPI Advisory Council.