Slovakia is becoming an associate member of the European Space Agency (ESA). This will significantly expand opportunities for the Slovak space sector. The Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport said that Slovakia will also be able to participate in major European projects or research missions. Thanks to the contract with ESA, which was approved by the Slovak government, Slovakia will be able to participate in the construction of new European satellites. The signed Association Treaty will then be submitted to the National Council of the Slovak Republic for approval and will enter into force after ratification by the President of the Slovak Republic. According to Ľudovít Paulis, State Secretary for Science, Research and Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Slovak Republic, software companies, start-ups, as well as companies from the automotive and aerospace industries will also be given an opportunity, as they will no longer have to relocate outside of Slovakia. Associate membership will cost Slovakia five to six million euros a year. These resources will be redistributed to projects mostly implemented in Slovakia. ESA oversees space projects in Europe, controls the redistribution of investments and brings together 22 countries. Its main activities include scientific research, education and technological development. The Slovak Republic has been cooperating with the Agency since 2010.
Source: RTVS, TASR
