CSEO and CMMI to work for protection of maritime environment

The Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the use of space technologies to protect the marine environment. 

According to a press release by CSEO, this is the first time that two Cypriot research organisations are officially collaborating for such an ambitious purpose.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by President of CSEO George Danos and CEO of CMMI, Zacharias Siokouros, aims to use and develop space and marine technologies for research and as well as to organise joint actions in the areas of the blue economy.

"The ultimate goal is to protect our immediate environment, create best practices and promote sustainable development. Goals that have the potential to be applied across the planet," the press release says. 

In his address, Siokouros said that this is a very important day that marks the collaboration between two organisations with the vision of protecting our planet through the proper use of technology and the scientists of our country.

He also said that the infrastructures that the two organisations are developing will also play an important role, noting that these infrastructures will be made available to the entire Research and Innovation ecosystem of Cyprus, as well as the wider region and Europe.

George Danos said that there is a general perception that space technologies only concern the exploration of outer space, adding that this collaboration will show that these technologies have just as much - if not more - to offer to protect our planet.

"The Memorandum of Understanding with CMMI gives us the possibility and the opportunity to develop space technologies from our country and apply them to protect the environment of our small country, Cyprus, and our big homeland, the Earth," he stressed.

The signing ceremony was also attended among others, by Mayor of Nicosia Constantinos Giorkadjis, Vice Mayor of Larnaka Iasonas Iasonides, Director of the Department of Integrated Marine Ecosystem of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping Ioannis Tipaldos. 

Teams of the two organisations held a meeting right after the ceremony, marking the immediate start of their cooperation.

(Source: CNA)