Miscellaneous

Slovakia to Deal with Space Strategy during Its EU Presidency

Bratislava, May 5 (TASR) – Slovakia will hold discussions on a European Space Strategy during its Presidency of the Council of the EU, according to European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Johan-Dietrich Wörner on Thursday during his visit to Slovakia.

“Slovakia will preside over the Council of the EU from July 1 until the end of the year. During this period, a European Space Strategy will be in the process of forming and Slovakia’s task will be to initiate a discussion and influence this process,” said Wörner.

Slovakia currently has the status of a Cooperating State within ESA and Wörner hopes for Slovakia to acquire full-fledged membership soon.

“Slovakia has its history in science and industry, and certainly has something to offer ESA. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big or small thing, as long as it’s important,” added the ESA director general.

Education, Science, Research and Sport Minister Peter Plavcan (SNS) said that Slovakia should become a full-fledged member by 2020. “I assured Mr Director General that during our presidency we’ll support bonds between the EU and ESA,” said Plavcan.

Slovakia inked a Cooperation agreement with ESA in 2010 and became an associate member. In the second phase, President Andrej Kiska signed a 2016 ratification Treaty on European cooperating State between Slovakia and ESA which made Slovakia a cooperating partner of ESA. The third phase involves full-fledged membership.

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