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THE DIRECTOR GENERAL European Space Agency

Headquarters 8-10 Rue Mario Nikis

CS 45741 F-75738 Paris Cedex 15

France

Liina Vahtras Minister of Economy and Industry Suur-Ameerika 1 EE-10122 Tallinn Estonia DG/391 Paris, 24 September 2026

LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS

Dear Minister, Allow me to convey my warmest congratulations to you on your appointment as Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Estonia, both on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) and in a personal capacity. Your broad experience in technology, innovation and digital transformation, developed through leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, will undoubtedly be an asset in your new role. Your involvement in Estonia’s artificial intelligence initiatives reflects your strong commitment to an area central to Europe’s competitiveness and resilience. ESA greatly values Estonia’s active engagement in the European space sector and the contribution it makes to advancing innovation and technological excellence across Europe. This autumn, in the lead up to ESA’s Intermediate Ministerial Meeting in Rome in December, European autonomy in human and robotic space exploration will be at the top of the Agency’s agenda. I am confident that the close cooperation between Estonia and ESA will continue to develop under your leadership for the benefit of the European space sector. I look forward to working with you and wish you every success in this important role. Yours sincerely, Josef Aschbacher Cc: Paul Liias, Head of the Estonian Delegation to ESA

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THE DIRECTOR GENERAL European Space Agency

Headquarters 8-10 Rue Mario Nikis

CS 45741 F-75738 Paris Cedex 15

France

Liina Vahtras Minister of Economy and Industry Suur-Ameerika 1 EE-10122 Tallinn Estonia DG/391 Paris, 24 September 2026

LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS

Dear Minister, Allow me to convey my warmest congratulations to you on your appointment as Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Estonia, both on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) and in a personal capacity. Your broad experience in technology, innovation and digital transformation, developed through leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, will undoubtedly be an asset in your new role. Your involvement in Estonia’s artificial intelligence initiatives reflects your strong commitment to an area central to Europe’s competitiveness and resilience. ESA greatly values Estonia’s active engagement in the European space sector and the contribution it makes to advancing innovation and technological excellence across Europe. This autumn, in the lead up to ESA’s Intermediate Ministerial Meeting in Rome in December, European autonomy in human and robotic space exploration will be at the top of the Agency’s agenda. I am confident that the close cooperation between Estonia and ESA will continue to develop under your leadership for the benefit of the European space sector. I look forward to working with you and wish you every success in this important role. Yours sincerely, Josef Aschbacher Cc: Paul Liias, Head of the Estonian Delegation to ESA