Czech Republic becomes 2nd European Cooperating State
30 November 2004
On 24 November 2004, in Prague, Ms. Petra Buzkova, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic and Mr. Lars Fredén, Head of the International Relations Department of ESA, signed the Plan for European Cooperating State (PECS) Charter.The signature of this Charter was a prerequisite for the start of the cooperation between ESA and the Czech Republic to be undertaken pursuant to the European Cooperating State (ECS) Agreement signed in 24 November 2003. It will allow the start of the PECS activities jointly agreed between ESA and the Czech Republic as described in the Charter over a 5 year period.
The Czech Republic thus becomes the second European Cooperating State to whom ESA has granted that status (Hungary became the first ECS in November 2003).
Cooperation between ESA and the Czech Republic started in 1996 with the conclusion of a Framework Cooperation Agreement. In 2000, the Czech Republic joined the PRODEX programme. The signing of the PECS Charter represents a new milestone in the relations between ESA and the Czech Republic as the latter will now be able to participate under that framework, in almost all ESA programmes and activities.
Within the framework of PECS, the Czech Republic will mainly participate in Space Science activities (48.8%), Ground Segment activities (21.2%) and Earth Observation programmes (14.6%).
For any further information please contact :
Bernard Zufferey
ESA PECS Manager
Tel: +31 (0)71 565 3498
Fax: +31 (0)71 565 4693
Email: Bernard.Zufferey
esa.int