The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research and Innovation Keith Azzopardi Tanti attended the Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency (ESA Council) in the last few days in Paris, which is organized between the member states, the – associated states and observer states every three years.
In this Ministerial Council of the European Space Agency, the funds allocated by each member state for the coming years for space initiatives were announced, with an increase of 17% over the budget of the last Ministerial Council that took place in 2019. These initiatives include climate change protection, communication and navigation and the use of space services, among several other areas.
Malta was present together with these member states as an observer, with a commitment to involve itself with more resources in the sector. In a few more years, Malta will improve its membership within the European Space Agency, to a European Cooperative State (PECS). This status will no longer allow our country to observe the other countries act, but it will commit the Government to allocate with the agency a minimum of €1.5 million per year for a period of five years which will be invested all for -strengthening the capabilities and space research in Malta.
Several local researchers will have the opportunity to translate what they have learned academically in our country by carrying out research projects with both the public and private sectors. This can lead to great benefits for our country in several important sectors, including the environment, the maritime sector and that of aviation. This is to be more sustainable.
Photo: MEYR_PS
