Nicosia, Cyprus— Cyprus has signed an agreement to become an Associate Member of the European Space Agency (ESA), marking a major step forward in its space ambitions.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from all 23 ESA member states and led by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Cyprus Deputy Minister Nicodemos Damianou.

The agreement builds on more than a decade of collaboration between Cyprus and ESA, including Cyprus’s status as a European Cooperating State since 2017. Full associate membership is expected by early 2026, aligning with Cyprus’s upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Once ratified, Cyprus will join Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia as ESA’s active Associate Members.

Cyprus has been developing its space sector through national strategies, legal frameworks, and international partnerships. The country is positioning itself as a hub for telecommunications, Earth observation, and satellite navigation, leveraging its strategic location and favorable climate.

At next month’s ESA Ministerial Council in Bremen, Cyprus will announce its participation in optional ESA programs, further strengthening its role in European space activities.

ESA’s Director General praised Cyprus’s progress, saying, “Together, we have transformed and elevated the Cypriot space sector… Welcome to ESA!”

Deputy Minister Damianou called the agreement a “significant milestone,” highlighting Cyprus’s readiness to contribute to Europe’s space goals and its role as a stable gateway for global space operations.

Cyprus sees space as a key part of Europe’s future growth and plans to use its new status to foster innovation, cooperation, and economic development across the region.