4/4/16

Address by the Minister of Transport at the 4th International Conference on Remote Sensing and Geoinformation of Environment

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.