Lithuania to sign association agreement with European Space Agency

Lithuania to sign association agreement with European Space Agency  

Lithuania is planning to become an associate member of the European Space Agency (ESA) where it now has the status of a cooperating state.

On Wednesday, the Cabinet decided to ask President Gitanas Nauseda to authorize Economy and Innovation Minister Ausrine Armonaite to sign an association agreement with the agency.

“Lithuania’s 3-million-euro membership fee will bring a return of 8.4 million euros annually. Associate membership will entitle Lithuanian businesses and research entities to participate in various ESA programs,” according to a note submitted to the government.

The ESA agency says that one euro directly invested by its program participants creates at least 3.5 euros of value.

The Economy and Innovation Ministry expects the association agreement to be signed by the minister and ratified by the Seimas by September 27 when the current cooperation agreement with the agency will expire.

Lithuania currently pays about 1.3 million to 1.4 million euros annually to be able to participate in the agency’s activities.

(February 3, 2021)