Space technology is an entirely new industry that has a lot of opportunities for Cyprus, for further growth and jobs, Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Marios Demetriades has stressed, after the signing ceremony of the European Cooperating State (ECS) Agreement between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.
“We have worked hard for today’s agreement. The Government verifies the political will and commitment for the development of the space technology sector in Cyprus, by signing today this agreement”, he said.
The agreement was signed in Nicosia by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Works Alecos Michaelides and the Head of the International Relations Department of ESA, Frédéric Nordlund.
`I am quite proud we are signing this agreement today. I do believe it is an achievement for the Ministry, for ESA as well, for including Cyprus as part of this family. It was something that we tried to promote for the beginning and the reason is that all technologies related to space are an entirely new industry that has a lot of opportunities for Cyprus, for further growth and jobs` the Minister stressed.
The overall objective of the new agreement , which has a duration of five years, is to associate Cyprus with Agency programmes and activities and to prepare Cyprus in the most efficient manner, for possible future accession to the ESA Convention.
`The opportunities for growth offered, by further developing the domestic space industry that will arise from this positive step, are tremendous. The signing of the ECS Agreement, is going to have a great impact in the fields of innovation and research` the Minister stressed.
Addressing the event, ESA representative Frederic Nordlund said that “This is a great day today”, adding that “for now on, you will see far more of ESA in Cyprus and Cyprus in ESA. This is a new level of work we start today and we are extremely pleased to have you as a member of the ESA family”.
He pointed out that the cooperation with Cyprus is now definitely changing, `now we are addressing the content, the programs, the activities, the projects. This is about investment and innovation, about 21st century activities`, such as planetary exploration, satellite services, applications, telecommunications.
Nordlund said that the agreement signed today has been unanimously approved by all the 22 member states of ESA.
In Cyprus, he said, there is increased interest and capabilities.
`We definitely count of Cyprus to bring the level of innovation we expect out of Cyprus in particular in different segments of space activities` he said, and referred to earth observation, applications in water management, in agriculture, maritime applications, `applications which are key for Cyprus and will be key for ESA as well`.
Concluding, he pointed out that the purpose of the agreement `is to bring convergence and complementarity between the Cypriot capabilities and the capabilities of the member states`.
With regard to the next steps, the Cypriot Minister said that in September in Nicosia, the Department of Electronic Communications of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, together with the European Space Agency (ESA) will organize a workshop, opened to all national space stakeholders.
The purpose of this event will be to provide information about the framework and the procedures, for the submission of Outline Proposals in the frame of today’s agreement, resulting in the selection of projects which will be financed.
The 1st Call which will follow after this workshop, for the submission of Outline Proposals, is addressed only to Cypriot entities and its subject, is exclusively for research and development activities, space applications, products and services making use of ESA / European space infrastructure, preparatory activities to support national competitiveness related to ESA programmes, and awareness and education activities.
The total intended envelope of this 1st Call is 1.2 M euro. This call will be announced every year for the whole duration of today’s agreement.
`For this agreement we have to pay a subscription of 1.35 million every year but 90% of that is guaranteed to come back to the country through this kind of programs` the Minister pointed out.
He pointed out that by spending this money for this kind of technologies Cyprus promotes Research and Development but also gives a very strong message to all companies that are already established in Cyprus that the country wants to promote this kind of activities.
`We want to promote and assist the companies that are based here or intend to be based here for commercial activities and don`t forget that the UK has included this industry as one of the key industries going forward in the next few years. I do believe that this this can be also an industry for Cyprus as well` he underlined.
He also said that large satellite operators as well as organizations that provide satellite communications services as integrated solutions, are established in Cyprus, while some more are examining the possibility, either to invest, or to use existing infrastructure in Cyprus.
`Further to that, we expect that the geographical location of Cyprus, in the middle of 3 continents (Europe, Asia and Africa), in connection with the strengthening of cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), will result in Cyprus becoming a regional hub in the field of satellite communications` he said.
Concluding, the Minister noted that Cyprus also has ideal climate conditions for earth observation and `together with our strategic location, the national infrastructure and expertise, we can develop innovative space technology services`.