Malta achieves observer status in the European Space Agency

27^th February 2012

On 20th February Malta signed a cooperation agreement with the European Space Agency providing it with observer status on the Agency's Council and in its Committees. This agreement, which is the result of a process started in 2004, will enable Maltese students and researchers to access the Agency's technological resources and to make contacts with researchers working there. The signature was welcomed by Maltese Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who said that it showed "the government's commitment to research and innovation," and that space "could become a niche sector for Europe". At present Maltese research priorities in space are telecommunications, satellites and other high tech activities such as microelectronic mechanics and nanotechnologies.

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