site.btaBulgaria Signs New Extended Agreement for European Cooperating State with European Space Agency

ESD 11:52:31 16-02-2022
ZH1148ES.110
110 EDUCATION-BULGARIA-ESA-AGREEMENT

Bulgaria Signs New Extended Agreement for
European Cooperating State with
European Space Agency


Sofia, February 16 (BTA) - Minister of Innovation and Growth Daniel Lorer and European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Josef Aschbacher have signed in Toulouse a new extended agreement for a European Cooperating State between Bulgaria and ESA, the Bulgarian Economy Ministry said in a press release.

Bulgaria became an ESA European Cooperating State in 2015.

After the signing ceremony in Toulouse, Lorer said that the new agreement is a sign of Bulgaria's growing interest and commitment to continue its cooperation with ESA and thus ensure conditions to pursue its greater ambitions in the development of its space industry and involvement in ESA initiatives.

Thanks to the agreement, Bulgarian companies and research organizations will be able to participate in project selection procedures. Also, a Plan for European Cooperating State (PECS) will be implemented, intended to strengthen the readiness of the Bulgarian space sector for full-fledged participation in ESA programmes after Bulgaria becomes a full ESA member state.

The agreement also ensures access to ESA youth programmes and to the exchange of experts, research and technological information, and other data in the area of space science, technologies and applications.

Bulgaria and ESA continue their joint work for strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of the Bulgarian enterprises in the space sector and safeguarding the research potential. The agreement supports Bulgaria's ambitions for more intensive work in the area of space, building a sustainable and competitive space sector and research, and active participation in European initiatives and programmes in the space sector. DT/ZH//