Croatia strengthens position in European space sector with new international agreement

(Photo: Supplied)

Croatia has taken a significant step towards strengthening its position in the European space and high-tech sector by signing a new international cooperation agreement.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 23 April 2026 at the Vytah international conference in Bratislava, establishing a new platform for collaboration across Central and Eastern Europe.

Croatia joined the initiative through the Adriatic Aerospace Association (A3), reinforcing its role in the rapidly expanding European space industry.

The agreement was initially signed by representatives of VytahConf (Slovakia), the Adriatic Aerospace Association (Croatia), and INFOTER (Hungary). During the Bratislava conference, the partnership was further strengthened by the addition of the European Space Foundation.

For Croatia, the agreement represents a major step forward in positioning its domestic space and technology sector on the international stage.

(Photo: Supplied)

Through participation in this regional initiative, Croatian companies, start-ups, research institutions and students gain access to:

• international investment networks and venture capital funds

• joint projects within EU, ESA and NATO programmes

• cross-border collaboration and talent mobility opportunities

• increased global visibility for Croatian innovation

A strong emphasis has also been placed on developing young professionals and strengthening links between academia and industry, key factors for long-term competitiveness.

The MoU aims to bring together currently fragmented resources and initiatives across Central and Eastern Europe to create a more integrated and competitive ecosystem.

Key areas of cooperation include joint conferences, innovation projects, educational programmes and investment opportunities. One of the flagship initiatives is the launch of a leading regional “travelling” space conference.

(Photo: Supplied)

The first edition is scheduled for spring 2027 in Budapest, with future events rotating among participating countries, opening the possibility for Croatia to host in the coming years.

Although non-binding, the agreement lays the groundwork for long-term strategic cooperation based on trust, transparency and shared interests. Its open structure allows for the inclusion of additional partners, further strengthening the regional network.

By joining this initiative, Croatia signals its ambition to become a relevant player in both the European and global space sectors, leveraging regional collaboration to accelerate technological development and economic growth.