The European State Agency (ESA), based in Paris, is now Europe’s gateway to space. It is an independent, intergovernmental organisation composed of 22 members. It has close ties with the European Union through a Framework Agreement signed in 2004.

Its mission is to develop Europe’s space capabilities and ensure continued investment in space to bring benefits to Europe’s citizens. ESA is developing, inter alia, launchers, spacecraft and ground facilities, enabling Europe to be among the frontrunners of global space activity.

The Agreement and the Charter for European Cooperating States (ECS) are designed to prepare countries to join ESA, initially as Associate Member State, and later as a Full Member State.

In 2009, the Republic of Cyprus (with the executive arm of the Department of Electronic Communications) signed a Cooperation Agreement with ESA, lasting 5 years, as the first preliminary stage in a State’s path towards membership (full membership) in ESA. This agreement established the initial framework for cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and ESA in the field of research and the peaceful use of outer space. The implementation of the Cooperation Agreement was successful, as it was possible to establish appropriate links with ESA, successfully organise several conferences and trainings in Cyprus, ensure the participation of Cyprus as an observer in ESA Councils and Committees, and prepare a first document of the National Space Strategy of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus (with the executive branch of electronic communications) and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed the ECS Agreement (2016), which entered into force with the signature of the PECS Programme Agreement (2017), with the aim of better preparing Cyprus for its accession as a member of ESA. The ECS Agreement, with a duration of five (5) years, allows Cyprus to participate in ESA programmes and activities in order to strengthen the know-how of the domestic space industry and academy.

According to the report prepared by the ESA, in recent years, Cyprus has made great progress in the field of space technologies, and has managed to attract important EU space infrastructures (EGNOS/Galileo/Copernicus). In addition to this, however , it is considered necessary to further strengthen the ecosystem in specific sectors, and therefore ESA recommended that the existing scheme be renewed for another five (5) years in order for Cyprus to prepare itself sufficiently so that it can respond satisfactorily to the increased Associate Member requirements.

Further to the above, ESA recommended renewing the existing regime, for the further 5 years, the signing of a new agreement, called ECS+, from 2022 to 2027, most of which is the same as the current ECS agreement.

Cyprus’ annual contribution to the ESA PECS programme fro 2024 is 3 million euro (started with 1,35 in 2017). At the same time, however, around 80% of this assistance returns to Cyprus in the form of vertical ESA funding to domestic research and innovation programmes as well as advisory services, only to Cypriot entities. 

• Energy
• Environment and Climate Change
• Fisheries/ Aquaculture and Maritime Policy
• Health
• Industry
• Justice - Security
• Migration and Citizenship
• Natural and Cultural Heritage
• Research, Technological Development and Innovation
• Rural development
• Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
• Space
• Telecommunications
• Transport
• Urban Development

• Large Enterprises
• Local Authorities
• NGOs
• Non Profit Organisations
• Private Bodies
• Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
• Services Providers
• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• State-owned Enterprises

Department of Electronic Communications