The Secretary General of Telecommunications and Post, Konstantinos Karantzalos, participated on Monday, May 4th in meetings with the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, at the Maximos Mansion and the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence. He also participated in a meeting at the OroraTech offices in Athens, in the presence of the German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johann Wanteful, and the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou.
The discussions with Commissioner Andrius Kubilius focused on Greece's strategic role in the fields of defense, space, and digital technology, as well as the strengthening of the European defense industry and space infrastructure, within the framework of the "Defence Readiness EU 2030" roadmap. Particular emphasis was placed on the need for joint European funding for strategically important projects, such as a European air defense shield and advanced space programs.
The meeting took place at a critical juncture, immediately after the successful launch of the first Greek thermal satellites, as well as new Greek microsatellites, which significantly upgrade our country's capabilities in Civil Protection, climate resilience, and crisis management. In this context, the progress of the National Space Strategy, the National Microsatellite Program, and the projects being implemented with funding from the Recovery and Resilience Fund were presented.
At the same time, the country is entering a pivotal phase for Greek space policy, as the transition from the launch of microsatellites to the full operational utilization of their data is now becoming a reality. At the center of this development are the strengthening of Civil Protection, environmental monitoring, and the development of a modern technological ecosystem with international collaborations.
These significant developments and the development of national space capabilities were also discussed at the OroraTech offices in Athens, in the presence of the German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Johann Wanteful, highlighting the expansion of Greek-German cooperation in the field of Space, with an emphasis not only on technological development but also on its operational application.
Greece has now acquired the capability to almost real-time detection and monitoring of fires from Space, through the first Greek thermal satellites and by leveraging the entire OroraTech satellite network.
The National Microsatellite Program is a key pillar of this strategy, reflecting a systematic investment in knowledge, innovation, and the enhancement of national capabilities, aiming to shape a comprehensive space ecosystem that will support critical state functions.
The General Secretariat of Telecommunications and Post is systematically working on:
- upgrading satellite communications and securely connecting them with critical infrastructures,
- enhancing security and resilience through multiple earth observation satellite systems,
- positioning Greece as a key point for connectivity and surveillance in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Close European cooperation and the strengthening of the industrial and technological base of the European Union are essential prerequisites to fully exploit the potential of Space, Artificial Intelligence, and advanced digital infrastructures, for the benefit of society, the economy, and the security of citizens.
