N° 34–1996: ESA and Portugal sign Cooperation Agreement
24 July 1996
An Agreement on Space Cooperation for peaceful purposes was signed today in Paris between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Government of the Portuguese Republic The Portuguese Government was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jaime Gama, who signed and by the Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Mariano Gago, and ESA by its Director General, Jean-Marie Luton.
Such an Agreement is signed in view to establish closer cooperation between Portugal and ESA in areas of mutual interest, such as space sciences, earth observation, telecommunications and microgravity.
The Agreement is also intended to increase exchange of information on the activities of the two parties in the fields of research and development and applications related to space, to foster exchange of experts and the definition of joint pilot projects.
Satellite navigation is a promising area of cooperation where Portuguese authorities have expressed their interest in participating in the Agency's activities carried out in the framework of the Artes 9 programme.
Similar agreements have been concluded with Greece, Hungary, Poland and Rumania.