King Carl Gustaf inaugurated today in Kiruna Mainland Europe’s first facility for satellite launches with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
PROGRAM:
- Intro by Anna Kinberg Batra, Chair of the Board of Swedish Space Corporation, SSC
- Keynote by Ursula von der Leyen, President of EU Commission
- Keynote by Ulf Kristersson, Swedish Prime Minister
- His Majesty the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf, Ursula von der Leyen, President of EU Commission and Ulf Kristersson, Swedish Prime Minister cuts the ribbon to complete the inauguration.
- Virtualized rocket launch
Photos, we see also Swedish ESA astronaut Marcus Wandt and Swedish ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang.
Getty Images
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, at her Twitter
Court website:
In the first half of 2023, Sweden holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.
On 12–13 January, the King, the Swedish government and the EU Commission met in Kiruna to discuss the priorities that will be relevant during Sweden's presidency. From the European Commission, President Ursula von der Leyen and the 26 commissioners of the college of commissioners participated.
On Thursday, the commissioners were introduced to the King and then the King had a meeting with Ursula von der Leyen. In the evening there was a dinner.
Today the participants visited the Esrange space base where the King, the Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission inaugurated a new launch pad for satellites, the first of its kind on European territory.
Kungen besökte EU-ordförandeskapsmöte i Kiruna _ Kungahuset
The King's speech at the dinner
H.M. Konungens tal vid EU-kommissionens besök i Kiruna _ Kungahuset