On May 23, 2024, the Competitiveness Council of the European Union (EU) convened in Brussels, bringing together space and research ministers to deliberate on the forthcoming EU Space Law. The aim was to bolster European competitiveness in space-related endeavors and explore avenues for research and innovation to develop cutting-edge materials for industrial leadership.
The EU Space Law, a forthcoming legislative initiative, seeks to enhance safety by mitigating collision risks among satellites and launch vehicles, addressing space pollution, fostering resilience through standardized risk assessment requirements, and promoting sustainability via uniform rules for environmental impact assessments of space activities.
Latvia’s delegation was headed by Silvija Reinberga, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science. During discussions on advanced materials for industrial leadership, Reinberga thanked the European Commission for its recent statement on advanced materials research and innovation, underscoring its significant role in ensuring industry leadership. She highlighted smart materials, photonics, technologies, and engineering systems as key focus areas aligned with Latvia’s Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3).
The Latvian representative highlighted the critical role of engaging young scientists in materials science research. As a notable example of effective EU collaboration, she mentioned the CAMART2 project, overseen by the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia.
