Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Nicodemos Damianou, signed on Wednesday at the Presidential Palace, the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, with parallel live connection with NASA in the United States.
The Artemis Accords, signed until now by more than 40 nations, aim to the peaceful exploration and exploitation of outer space. The Accords were also signed on behalf of the United States by Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of USA, responsible for European and Euro-Asian issues, James O’Brien.
In his statements, the Deputy Minister said that today marks a significant milestone for Cyprus as we join the Artemis Accords, a global and diverse coalition of nations aiming for a new era of space exploration based on the principles of safety, peacefulness and sustainability.
As we embark on this exciting journey, we reaffirm our strong belief in the importance of international cooperation to ensure space is utilized to the benefit of al
l humanity, he stressed.
Moreover, he noted that Cyprus, has already taken steps focusing largely on the areas of satellites communication and earth observation.
As we go deeper into the space realm, it is imperative that we foster knowledge, sharing collaboration across disciplines and borders, he said, noting that space should be at the core of our efforts to diversify our economies and create value for future generations.
Concluding, he said that Cyprus remains committed to further strengthening its ties with the US particularly in science and technology where the US is a global leader and Cyprus is making bold steps in developing into a regional hub in the critical Mediterranean region.
In his statements, US Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for European and Euro-Asian issues, James O’Brien, said that this is a ‘great day’, adding that we are here celebrating the first strategic dialogue between the two countries.
Referring to space, he said we will work together in outer space, as w
e share the commitment to giving our peoples opportunities, educational and scientific, and work together. We build a structure today to work together in outer space, he added.
Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator, who was watching with live connection from the US, said that we are living in the golden age of space. Today, he said, we go together to the moon and with our international partners.
We are going to break barriers and we need to preserve the space environment for generations to come, he noted.
We will unlock, he said, new discoveries for the benefit of all.
Source: Cyprus News Agency