Poland joins European Space Agency
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
13.09.2012 17:05
Poland has officially become a member of the European Space Agency (ESA) on Thursday, enabling the country to expand its space research programme.
The signing ceremony between ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and representatives of Poland's government took place at the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw this afternoon.
ESA Member States unanimously approved the accession of Poland to ESA on July 13.
The membership comes with a hefty price tag, which includes the registration fee of 145 mln zloty (almost 35 mln euros) as well as an annual membership fee of 20 mln zloty (4.7 mln euros).
Polish scientists have welcomed the move saying membership in an organisation with an annual budget of 4 bln euro will give them the possibility to participate in many European space programs and missions.
Poland has been a European Cooperating State since April 2007.
More than 42 cooperative space projects are currently under way here with a total budget of 11 mln euro.
The country will be 20th member of the European Space Agency.
The Czech Republic joined the Agency in 2008 and Romania in 2011. (di/pg)