Cyprus is seeking a strong, space ecosystem in the country, pledged Permanent Secretary at the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Dr. Stelios Chimonas in a speech at the Council Meeting at ministerial level of the European Space Agency held in Paris.
At the ESA Council at Ministerial level held in Paris on 22 and 23 November, government ministers representing ESA’s Member States, Associate States and Cooperating States resolved to together strengthen Europe’s space ambitions, ensuring a continuous concerted effort to serve European citizens.
Ministers confirmed that Europe’s independent access to space is crucial to secure the benefits that space brings to life on Earth – including climate change monitoring and mitigation, secure communications and navigation under European control, and rapid and resilient responses to crises.
By committing to future space exploration, Europe has also committed to advancing scientific understanding, fulfilling its potential and retaining its talent for generations to come.
To achieve the goals decided during the meeting, the ministers agreed to increase the ESA’s budget by 17% compared to the last ministerial meeting in 2019.
In an intervention, Dr. Chimonas said Cyprus, despite its small size, through its extensive cooperation with ESA, is pursuing to further exploit its geostrategic position, with the opportunities arising, to form a powerful space ecosystem in the country.
For this reason it is seeking a number of reforms including the development of a National Space Strategy, based on the EU’s Space Policy and initiatives and programmes carried out by the ESA. He also referred to the creation of a Business Incubation Centre – BIC, and a local space cluster.
Source: Cyprus News Agency