Macron announces France's new space strategy: "Space has become a new battlefield of global competition"
French President Macron delivered a speech on Wednesday, November 12, in Toulouse, a southern city known as the aerospace capital of Europe, announcing France's new space strategy. Macron emphasized that "space is no longer a sanctuary but a new arena of power," and announced an additional 4.2 billion euros in budget for military space fields by 2030.
According to AFP, Macron spoke at the new building of the French Space Military Command in Toulouse. Macron stated that space is no longer a safe area but has become a new field of strategic competition. The new building of the French Space Military Command was completed last summer, and Macron's visit was to unveil the new building of the Space Command.
Macron pointed out, "Warfare is already taking place in space, and future warfare will begin from space." He emphasized that France and Europe must "firmly defend their position and interests in this field."
Additional 4.2 billion euros to ensure France's space sovereignty
Macron announced that under the framework of the revised "Military Planning Law," France will add 4.2 billion euros in funding for military space projects to ensure strategic autonomy and operational freedom in the rapidly evolving global geopolitical competition.
Macron warned that the European space industry system remains vulnerable, and it is essential to fully support domestic aerospace companies so that they can grow into "European champions" capable of truly competing in the global market.
Developing next-generation launch vehicles, rejecting reliance on foreign powers
Regarding future priorities, Macron stated that France will focus on developing key technological areas such as reusable launch vehicles, low-cost propulsion systems, and high-thrust engines to achieve technological breakthroughs and independent innovation.
Macron stated, "Reliance on any foreign superpower or space giant is unacceptable" – "You know what I mean" ["You know what I mean" (suivez mon regard), which is considered a subtle jab at American entrepreneur Elon Musk].
Macron also said that France will accelerate the commercialization of the "Ariane 6 rocket" and promote the modernization of the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana, making it a flexible and open space platform capable of accommodating small launch projects and international partners.
France says "no" to the South American free trade agreement
Before his speech in Toulouse, Macron met with a group of farmers and reiterated France's clear opposition to the current version of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.
Macron stated that if the agreement cannot include effective safeguard clauses, equivalent standards, and border regulatory mechanisms, "France will firmly say 'no' to it."
Source: rfi
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848626081065092/
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