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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Kubilius at the IRIS² - Polish contribution Agreement Signature Ceremony Warsaw, 21 July 2026 Dear Minister Kierwiński, Dear Secretary of State Szymański, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, My dear Polish friends, I have come to Poland to celebrate a success story. Today we signed an important agreement. This is a big day for Poland, the Ea...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Kubilius at the IRIS² - Polish contribution Agreement Signature Ceremony Warsaw, 21 July 2026 Dear Minister Kierwiński, Dear Secretary of State Szymański, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, My dear Polish friends, I have come to Poland to celebrate a success story. Today we signed an important agreement. This is a big day for Poland, the Eastern Flank and the entire European Union. Poland is showing real leadership; By investing in space, Poland is investing in its security, its economy, and its future. Today's signature will make Poland a pillar of Europe's secure connectivity strategy and a driving force for the Eastern Flank. Today, Poland is helping Europe to stand stronger, act more independently, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing world. As you know Poland received 60 billion euro from the EU recovery and resilience facility to build a strong and resilient Poland after COVID. Today, Poland is investing 656 million euro from this fund into its own secure satellite connectivity system. To bring security from space. And more than investing, Poland is also pioneering a truly new European approach. Adding a Polish module to a European satellite constellation. So Poland will have better capacities, and the whole of Europe will have better capacities. Last year the Commission announced: Remaining Recovery and Resilience Fund money could also be spent on security,defence and space. For space, it could be integrated in the EU IRIS² programme. The Polish government has decided to follow this scheme. To build a Polish constellation as part of IRIS², the European Union Secure Connectivity Programme. I applaud this decision. This massive investment shows great Polish leadership. I hope other Member States will follow. It shows Poland truly understands the decisive importance of space for our economy and security. By choosing to build its own constellation as part of IRIS², Poland partners with Europe into one system. This modular implementation, as part of IRIS², brings reinforced sovereign communications and tailor-made solutions when and where needed. And this 656 million euro will directly benefit Polish people, Polish and European citizens. IRIS² is a new constellation of hundreds of satellites built by the EU. That will bring superfast secure internet from space to every corner of Polandevery corner of Europe – and every corner of the world. Secure connectivity, anywhere and anytime. For civil security, law enforcement and defence. It will bring trusted secure communications for armed forces. And also for police, border guards and coast guards, Polish and European. So they can better protect our borders,fight crime, and save lives at sea. And IRIS² will bring secure satellite connectivity to protect the messages of Polish and European governments and embassies from foreign espionage. By integrating the Polish system with IRIS², Poland chooses to go European instead of going alone. Bringing EU added value. This offers Poland a comprehensive satellite system – for a good price. More satellites will pass over Poland, providing better services. Creating jobs – and good quality jobs – in Poland. A sovereign solution with capacities that Poland can manage autonomously thanks to an additional ground station in its territory – a “gateway”. A big benefit to the country and local community. And what is important: Poland's investment today will make the entire Eastern Flank stronger. Will make Poland a connectivity hub for the entire Eastern Flank. Bring more capacity for secure connectivity to the Eastern Flank. Secure connectivity from space is our lifeline in times of crisis and war. Almost impossible for enemies to break into or take down. So today you make Poland, the Eastern Flank and the entire European Union stronger in our security and defence. I thank you for that! Your decision to spend this money through IRIS² is very welcome. It builds on the incredible space journey Poland is making. On the remarkable ramp-up of Poland's space ecosystem and investments. To mention only a few: • The Polish “CAMILA” Earth observation constellation. Also funded through the EU Recovery Fund. • The new Centre for Civil Security and Resilience announced together with ESA just one week ago here in Warsaw. • The many successful Polish space companies, who are already fully integrated in European space projects across different domains. This impressive ramp-up of Poland's space ecosystem demonstrates Polish leadership in Europe. This is especially important for the Eastern Flank. Poland has the scale, the talent, and the ambition of a space faring nation. A European leader in space. Helping to shape a stronger, more secure, and more innovative space ecosystem across our part of Europe. In a time of geopolitical instability, this leadership is essential. So what are the next steps for the EU in secure satellite connectivity? This year we started the initial operations of GOVSATCOM, pooling secure satellite communications and sharing them among all requesting Member States. Next year we will add commercial services to GOVSATCOM, bringing additional services. And we are moving ahead with IRIS². IRIS² will be accelerated to start initial operations by 2029. So let me conclude. Poland's ambitions in space will bring great results right here on the ground. This is about security, sovereignty, economic resilience, and technological leadership right here on Earth. Europe's strength in space lies in our ability to act together. When we invest in common European space infrastructure, all Member States benefit. We create economies of scale, reduce fragmentation, strengthen resilience. We ensure that no country is left behind in accessing critical capabilities. But the key point is this: It is better to develop one European system that can grow over time than to multiply separate national systems that are more costly, less interoperable, and less efficient. Separate national systems cost more and can achieve less. By joining forces in Europe, we can have more, cheaper and better space systems and services. This is precisely the logic behind IRIS² and our broader Secure Connectivity strategy. Today's technologies allow us to work in a modular and flexible way. That means we can build systems that are expandable, adaptable, and future-proof for the benefit of all Member States. And that is exactly what Poland is doing today: A true European solution, using EU funds, bringing true security in connectivity. For Poland and for Europe. Poland can be proud today. I look forward to working with you on the next steps. SPEECH/26/1665
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