Lithuanian Andrius Kubilius has been appointed European Commissioner for Defence and Space, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday.
“He will work to develop the European Defence Union and increase our investment in capabilities,” she told reporters.
The Commissioner is expected to focus on the defence industry. One of his main tasks will be to help deliver the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), a €1.5 billion package for defence contractors.
The space part of the portfolio will include management of the EU’s permanent Galileo and Copernicus satellite programmes, as well as the continuation of the bloc’s third project – a multi-billion dollar constellation of secure internet satellites called IRIS², which is expected to be operational during the next mandate.
Kubilius was the Prime Minister of Lithuania and also sat in the European Parliament.
Politico En2Fr
