On Wednesday, the government decided on the partial payment of Romania’s outstanding financial contribution to European Space Agency (ESA) programs of up to 330 million lei, the Ministry of Digitization announced.

European Space AgencyPhoto: European Space Agency / Facebook

As of July 1, 2018, due to non-payment for the previous year, Romania lost its voting rights in the ESA Board and Program Committees, setting a dangerous precedent with possible serious impact on the national industrial and technological environment in space. industries and disputes.

The total amount of outstanding contributions to the programs corresponding to the period 2019-2022 is €102,263,517.89, the participation of the Romanian research environment in the European space programs is at risk. Romania was the only country in the history of the ESA in a situation of suspension of the right to vote.

“Romania’s outstanding contribution to the programs is 102.27 million euros for the period 2019-2022, and the payment of 63 million euros by October 19, 2022 preserves voting rights only until January 31, 2023, the deadline of the first invoice.” from 2023 for ESA programs.” shown in the explanatory note to the GD project

  • “This is a promise fulfilled, a great victory for the scientific community in Romania and a vital gesture before the ESA Council in November. In this way, Romania regains its right to vote in the ESA, which was lost more than four years ago. Thus, Romania will be able to fully participate in the ESA Council this fall, which meets once every 3 years and which sets the agency’s programs and projects for the next cycle.
  • With the adoption of today’s government decision, Romanian researchers and companies will once again be able to be part of European projects for the exploration and conquest of space.” said Sebastian Burduja, Minister of Research, Innovation and Digitization.

The government’s decision provides for the approval of the payment of 330,000,000 lei, representing Romania’s outstanding financial contribution for 2019, 2020 and partial payment of the outstanding financial contribution for 2021 to the optional programs of the European Space Agency (ESA), for Romania to restore its right to vote by January 31, 2023.

Second payment the outstanding contribution for 2021 and the payment of the financial contribution for 2022 in the amount of EUR 39.27 million will be made by December 31, 2022.

294 companies, research institutes and universities in Romania have contracts with ESA

At the moment, more than 294 Romanian organizations (private and public, industrial, research and university) are registered and allowed to conclude contracts with ESA. Over the past 4 years, they have concluded more than 250 contracts.

ESA works on the principle of fair return:

  • – Romania’s financial contribution can be fully returned to the country in the form of contracts concluded between ESA and Romanian legal entities;
  • – intellectual/industrial property remains in Romania.

Participation in ESA programs can bring increased added value, both in economic terms and in the recognition and prestige of the involved scientific and industrial capabilities of Romania.

ESA programs have achieved a return on national contribution of approximately 86% over the contribution period, with national capacity to increase to 100%.

The ESA guarantees a minimum return of 93% to Member States that have completed the transition period. For states that have difficulties in achieving this profit ratio, an industrial policy working group is established to take appropriate support measures. Romania completed the transition period in July 2022.

Funds allocated through the ESA can be used by national research institutes, Romanian universities and high-tech companies, allowing Romanian organizations to access technologies from the ESA legacy in order to develop and promote national research, educational and industrial opportunities in space, aeronautics, security and related fields. industry.

In addition to the direct benefits of the amounts contributed by Romania to the ESA, there are significant indirect economic benefits, European studies indicate a multiplier in the economy of at least 6 (each euro invested through ESA programs generates at least 6 euros more for national economies)