Luxembourg and Prague, October 10, 2018 – The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, represented by the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy, Étienne Schneider, and the Czech Republic, represented by the Minister of Transport, Dan Ťok, signed a memorandum of understanding on a cooperation in the frame of space resources exploration and utilization.Both countries agreed to regularly consult and exchange views on their positions regarding the economic, legal, regulatory and technological aspects of the commercial utilization of space resources discussed in international fora and organizations such as the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and its subcommittees. Furthermore, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic agreed to promote and to seek a constructive dialogue with other United Nations Member States with the goal to establish a clear and transparent global framework for the utilization of space resources that may lead to new scientific information and knowledge about the solar system and to valuable commercialapplications. Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy Etienne Schneider stated: “After the agreements signed with Portugal, Japan, China and the United Arab Emirates, this is another important step forward in enhancing international cooperation. The memorandum with the Czech Republic is yet another solid recognition of our economic development initiativeSpaceResources.lu that is driven and lead by the newly created Luxembourg Space Agency to position the Grand Duchy as a European hub for the exploration and use of space resources.” Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic Dan Ťok stated: “I consider as important that the Czech Republic actively participates in broader bilateral and multilateral discussions on how to ensure lawful utilisation of space resources for the benefit of mankind. The memorandum with Luxembourg may represent one of useful platforms to support such discussions and actions allowing to actively and efficiently contribute to establish a transparent and stable legal framework for the utilization of space resources and to mobilize necessary investments.” Released by the Luxembourg Ministry of the Economy and the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic
Media contact (Luxembourg):Paul ZennersE-Mail: paul.zenners@eco.etat.lu Phone: (+352) 247-74126Mobile: (+352) 621 409 141
Media contact (Czech Republic):Tomáš LukašíkE-Mail: tomas.lukasik@mdcr.czPhone: (+420) 225 131 065Mobile: (+420) 602 172 328
