Speech by the President of the Government of Spain during his visit to the PLD Space facilities, at the official ceremony (Elche)

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN, PEDRO SÁNCHEZ

Well, thank you very much, and I'll keep it brief, dear Diana, dear minister. Of course, I also want to acknowledge the Government delegate for the Valencian Community, Pilar; the Government sub-delegate in Alicante; the Secretary-General of the Presidency; to Ezequiel; Raúl, Raúl; and all the staff; and the media representatives who are here with us at this important event.

Well, I believe that Alicante has been Spain's window on the world for decades. This province is, of course, renowned for its natural beauty, its beaches, its cuisine and, above all, its people. And now, thanks to projects such as the one we are presenting today - such as PLD Space Alicante - it also serves as a window through which Spain, and indeed Europe, can look out onto the world and into space.

For far too long, we believed - as I mentioned earlier to the minister - that it was other countries that were destined to lead major technological transformations; it was other countries that were conducting research, innovating and breaking new ground. And it was precisely those other countries that attracted a large number of Spanish researchers and scientists who could not find such opportunities at home and were forced to go abroad.

Well, I believe that today, at this event, we are once again championing Spanish research, innovation and science. Because today, our country is demonstrating that it, too, is capable. It has always been capable, but now, more than ever, it can stand among those developing the technologies that are already defining our present and our future.

And something like this, as Diana said earlier, doesn't just happen by itself. It happens when there is an innovative spirit, when there is a vision on the part of people like Raúl, like Ezequiel, like Raúl and like many of you who are here supporting this project. And, naturally, there is also a desire, as Ezequiel mentioned earlier, for public-private collaboration, for joint investment by the public and private sectors in a sector which, without a doubt, will shape not only economic development, but also autonomy in the best sense of the word - autonomy and, therefore, the sovereignty of our country.

This is what happens when Spain engages in science and makes innovation - as well as R&D&i - a top political priority, channelling significant economic resources into it.

That is precisely what we have humbly done since we came to power in the Government of Spain eight years ago. In eight years, minister, we have increased investment in R&D by 60 per cent. This is the Spain we are building together with the private sector - a vision we aim to fully realise by the end of this great decade of transformation for our country, and, inevitably, for Europe: the decade spanning 2020 to 2030.

Admittedly, there are those who believe - and we are seeing this in other parts of the world - that investing public funds in research and cutting-edge technological projects is a waste of money, or that it is something only the private sector can do. Well, we think exactly the opposite. We believe that the real waste would be to turn our backs on that present and future, to which we in Spain are also able to contribute.

Investing in science today, investing in technology today, means many things, but for me it means something that has been made clear from this platform before and which I have also had the opportunity to share with the founders of PLD Space some time ago.

And, as Raúl said earlier, it means investing tomorrow in better jobs, in better, more competitive companies with greater autonomy, and in a country that is less dependent. This is not because we wish to isolate ourselves or turn inward, but because we are not naive; there are technologies that are far better developed and produced right here in our country and within our shared European project. And in that regard, space is perhaps one of the best examples - and probably the most illustrative - of what that sovereignty and that open strategic autonomy, which we in Spain have always championed, represent.

Nowadays, space is clearly no longer just about science, nor is it just about exploration.

It is also about communications, security and economic activity. And, as I said before, it is strategic autonomy. That is why I believe Spain has rightly decided to develop its own capabilities - which it shares with the rest of Europe - primarily to contribute to building that European space future, with companies such as PLD Space and flagship projects such as Miura, Miura5 and the new Miura9, and now, on top of that, we've just learnt that you're already thinking about the next generation - in short, as the minister said, whenever one comes here, one naturally thinks about what's next, about 'let's go for more'.

All in all, I think that ambition is very healthy. The ambition to develop Spanish technology that will help ensure our continent - our shared project, which is Europe - has increasingly autonomous and sovereign access to space.

Since 2018 - as Ezequiel has already mentioned - we have achieved a great deal. We have, of course, set up the Spanish Space Agency, based in Seville. I found it really amusing - if you'll allow me to share this with the rest of the staff and the media - because when we talk about Elche, Alicante, Teruel and other provinces in Spain, PLD Space is indeed a company with a global outlook, whilst clearly having its roots in the provinces. And I think that also shows just how important this project is and what makes it so unique.

Since 2018 - as you are well aware, though it is important for the viewers following this briefing and, of course, the media to know - we have increased our contribution to the European Space Agency twofold and have allocated over 170 million euros to PLD Space through investments, R&D&I grants and pre-commercial public procurement.

And, as mentioned earlier, thanks to the Next Generation funds and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, we have helped to strengthen Spain's space capabilities at a time when Europe is seeking to achieve strategic autonomy. It is precisely thanks to that PERTE - that strategic project which has, in effect, encouraged the creation of a much more competitive and robust ecosystem in our country.

We are seeing the results today. Today, this Spanish company is among the only three European firms selected - and which have signed contracts - with the European Space Agency to develop the next generation of launch vehicles. So, congratulations on making your dream come true. Today, the Spanish space sector - I honestly believe this, and we also shared this view in Madrid at a conference, at the convention on the European space industry, where it was recognised as such by all stakeholders - I believe that the Spanish space sector, as I was saying, is enjoying a record-breaking period, a very optimistic time, and I believe that PLD Space is a great example - probably one of the very best - of the current state of the Spanish space industry.

It has evolved from a startup into an organisation - and I must say I am truly impressed - comprising over 500 professionals, men and women who embody the very best of the "Made in Spain" seal. What's more, as you explained to us earlier, you are driving a national value chain centred on space, which already comprises no fewer than 500 companies - all of which are Spanish - 95 per cent of which are small and medium-sized enterprises, which, ultimately, are a reflection of our productive sector.

Behind the scenes, of course - as you were saying earlier when we were walking through the offices where all the extraordinary professionals working on this truly exciting project are based - well, there is something far more important, and that is the talent, the human capital that you have attracted and are building up.

Just before that, whilst talking to the Minister for Science, she reminded me that the University of Alicante's Higher Polytechnic School offers a degree in Space Engineering. There are young people studying here today who, tomorrow, will be able to design, build and launch the next generation of Spanish space technology. And that is something - as the two Raúls, of course, will recall - that you told me about when you first embarked on this dream after graduating in aerospace engineering.

Well, in 2023, the Miura-1 made PLD Space the first private European company with flight experience. Now, Miura 5 is embarking on its journey, from where it will be launched in the coming months. Miura 9, for its part, marks the start of an exciting new chapter that will put Elche, Alicante and Spain where we deserve to be: at the forefront of the space industry.

So here's to the continued success of the Spanish space industry. And congratulations to the staff and the management team at PLD Space. You can count on a commitment to collaboration and cooperation from the public sector - working together to gain autonomy, build industry, create quality jobs in our country and strengthen the shared project that is Europe. Today, with the project standing behind me, we are certainly doing just that; that is why I wanted not only to offer my congratulations but also to express my gratitude.

(Transcript edited by the State Secretariat for Communication)