Address by the Minister of Transport at the 4th International
Conference
on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of
Environment
It gives me great pleasure to address this conference and I would
like to thank you all for your participation. Furthermore, I would like to
extend my thanks to the organizers and the speakers of the conference.
During the last year remarkable progress has been achieved as regards
the enhancement of relations with the European Space Agency (ESA).
In the first quarter of 2015, Cyprus expressed its willingness to
relaunch discussions with ESA aiming at the signature of the European
Cooperating State (ECS) Agreement. In this framework, in June 2015, a technical
team from ESA visited Cyprus in order to update the relevant assessment of the
Cypriot space activities. An assessment of companies, institutes and
universities was carried out.
This exercise verified a better performance compared to the ESA
assessment in 2012 and in addition, showed that political will is definitely
present in order to proceed with the strengthening of relationships with ESA.
Significant increase in awareness of ESA’s activities was also evident. Taking
into account the large range of capacities presented and potential projects
proposed, the ECS Agreement would be the most appropriate tool to integrate
Cyprus in the ESA programmes.
As a result, negotiations between the Department of Electronic
Communications and ESA for the Cyprus ECS Agreement are underway. The overall
objective of the Cyprus Plan is to associate Cyprus with Agency programmes and
activities and to prepare in the most efficient manner for possible future
accession to the ESA Convention. The specific objectives are to:
a)
Develop cooperation between scientific and applications user
communities in Cyprus and Agency Member States.
b)
Create and strengthen the respective industrial expertise and
capacity of Cyprus with a view to allowing a fair and equitable industrial
participation in future Agency programmes after accession.
c)
Foster Cyprus’s understanding of the Agency’s organization and
functioning of European space products, standards and procedures.
We expect that these negotiations will yield a positive result that
will lead to the signing of the ECS Agreement in July 2016
.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The opportunities for growth offered, by further developing the
domestic space industry, are tremendous. An adequate space industrial policy
should be defined with the support of ESA. Cyprus has one of the best climate
conditions for earth observation. Together with the strategic location, the
national infrastructure and expertise, we can develop innovative space
technology services and attract investments. We expect that the signing of the
ECS Agreement will result in promoting innovation and research, attracting
foreign investments and EU funds and creating new job opportunities.
Cyprus wants to be part of space development and to benefit from the
space systems that are today essential for the wellbeing and security of the
European citizens. As a result, the Republic of Cyprus is actively supporting
the efforts concerning the further use of space related technologies and
applications. In this context, we proceed to the organization and development of
the appropriate necessary structures and procedures aiming to an active
participation in the European Space Policy. Cyprus, as a member state of the EU,
actively participates in the Horizon 2020, Galileo and Copernicus EU Programmes
that will help Research and Innovation, as well as other sensitive sectors of
the economy. The space sector together with the ICT
sector can be drivers for growth and regional cooperation.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The earth observation
sector in Cyprus is one of our priorities. The opportunities that arise from the
related EU programmes, especially Copernicus, should not be underestimated. It
is important that the expertise gained from research be transferred to the
industry for the commercial development of related services.
I urge all the stakeholders to examine the possibility of installing
a Copernicus Space Component Ground Segment, here in Cyprus, as we have done
with the Galileo programme.
As I have said before, it has been demonstrated that the success and development of the
space sector is not an exclusivity of “big” States. Small States can, through a
targeted strategy, cope successfully in this area either as financial centres,
especially in the field of satellite communications, or as centres of growth
technologies and centres offering services.
Cyprus needs to exploit its own capabilities through a national space
strategy. Recognizing this strategic importance, Cyprus has set its priorities
which are the sectors of satellite communications, earth observation, space
navigation, and the enhancement of relations with the European Space Agency
(ESA).
Concluding, I would like to thank once again our speakers, especially
those who travelled to Cyprus for this conference, and to wish you all a
productive and fruitful day.
