Cyprus is actively supporting all efforts concerning the use of space related technologies and applications, said Thursday
Minister of Communications and Works, Erato Kozakou-Markoullis.
Addressing the International Conference “Space Applications for Cyprus and the Mediterranean Region”, which takes place in Nicosia, Markoullis said that Cyprus, at this point in time, is seeking to define its space policy program.
For this purpose, she said, Cyprus has set up a Committee on horizontal issues comprising all relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, Cyprus is looking to utilize its partnership with ESA and to define space activities of interest to Cyprus.
“Despite the fact that Cyprus has just begun organizing its overall space program, we have been very active in satellite communications”, Markoullis said.
She noted that Cyprus has already issued three licenses to satellite operators, one of which is quite active in the global market place.
“The second operator has recently ordered a satellite, while the third licensee is still making its initial strides, as we have just filed the system with the ITU”, she went on to add.
Further to this, she said that Cyprus has just completed the installation of satellite connections as well as terrestrial WiFi infrastructure to provide adequate internet access to all rural communities in Cyprus that had only dial-up access.
Referring to Europe, she said it needs to gain its independence from non-European space systems.
Markoullis pointed out that it is vitally important that all member states are committed to the successful materialization of the European Space Policy.
“Europe needs to take a global leading position. Within their capacity, member states should therefore invest in space research programs as well as other space related activities”, she stressed.
The Cypriot Minister said that “we all have to support the two major ongoing European projects, namely GALILEO, the European global positioning system which is the answer to the American GPS, and the Russian GLONASS, and GMES, the European global monitoring of the environment and safety system”.
“As these systems are important for meeting the challenges of the 21st century, European states and industries have to come together for the development of new and innovative products and services, fully exploiting the capabilities of GALILEO and GMES, thereby increasing Europe’s competitiveness in the global arena”, she added.
Referring to the International Conference, she said that since the Ministry has undertaken the responsibility for space issues, this is the first space event that is being organized in Cyprus.
“We are looking forward to gaining important knowledge which will help us draw up our space policy”, she concluded.
Keynote speaker at the Conference was Head of the International Relations Department of the European Space Agency, Chris De Cooker, who spoke about “the ESA Activities, Programs and Applications”.
De Cooker said that ESA covers all space activities.
The interest in space, he said, is not only to develop the necessary technology and be the first in space, but also to find out about our origins and destination.
“We are mankind, we want to know where we come from, where we are going”, the ESA official said.
He talked about the importance to encourage youngsters to get to know this science, saying that “this science and this technology are not difficult, they are just beautiful”.
“Our role is to make sure that young people like science and inspire them, they are our future”, he went on to add.
Referring to the cooperation agreement signed between ESA and the Republic of Cyprus, he said that it aims to the exchange of information, to the organization of similar conferences, to help Cyprus identify areas of interest and policies that Cyprus wants to promote.
ESA, he said, will help Cyprus by sending experts who could help further in moving forward as regards its dreams and hopes in the space field.
Cyprus, he went on to note, has to decide its priorities that have a fair chance of becoming successful.
The ESA official said that space is a key asset for Europe to face global challenges. He also said that 90% of ESA’s budget is spend on contracts with the European industry.
We want to ensure, he said, that Europe is a strong global player for space systems.
Moreover, he said that for the first time in its history, the EU mentions space in a Treaty, namely the Lisbon Treaty.
He said that a new momentum is there for all EU states to work together in the field of space.
Cypriot, Greek and other experts also addressed the Conference and talked about “Satellite Systems and Applications”, “Earth Observation Research and Applications in Cyprus” and “Case Studies for Cyprus”.
Cyprus signed a Cooperation Agreement with ESA on 27 August 2009. The objective of this agreement is to allow Cyprus and ESA to create the framework for more-intensive cooperation in ESA projects in the future.
