The EU also gives its Member States access to space technology for the needs of its armed forces. However, many countries are developing their own systems. Slovakia is not yet considering its own military satellite, but according to experts in the defence ministry, the sector needs to be monitored at least "marginally".

In a year's time, the current Secretary's mandate is coming to an end, and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member states are already intensively discussing who will replace him. After 72 years of the defence organisation's existence, there is talk in its Brussels headquarters that it is high time for a female leader.

A feminist approach transforms the system much more than traditional foreign policy, says Swedish Ambassador for Gender Equality and Coordinator for Feminist Foreign Policy, ANN BERNES, in an interview. In the early days, she says, the concept of feminism in politics surprised even Swedes themselves. "Today, no one laughs at it anymore because we can see for ourselves that change is possible," she says.

After a pandemic year, venture capital is investing in the largest volumes in tech companies in the Union. The largest number of European start-ups, worth over a billion dollars in the last five years, were founded in Copenhagen.

With the arrival of Joe Biden as US President, much is changing in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. It is emerging from the 'clinical death' feared by Emmanuel Macron and is initiating a number of new projects and activities. At next year's summit, the Allies want to translate them into a new strategy.